The Foundation of Wisdom

Wisdom - Part 2

Do you like big dreams? How about this one...2,000 years ago there was a guy who thought he could change the world. As a matter of fact, he believed God told him to do it! This guy’s name was Paul and he ended up writing 2/3 of the New Testament in the Bible.
   
Paul figured one of the best ways to change the world in his time was to go to the capital where the rulers of the world were (Rome) and tell them God’s plan. Was this wise? Well, Paul DID make it to Rome, but not the he way expected...he arrived as a prisoner of Rome.

So what does Paul’s story have to do with Solomon and this quote about the beginning (foundation) of wisdom? The answer to that is found in the odd-sounding phrase “the fear of the Lord”...what is that? First, what it is NOT...it is not a trembling fear of God that would cause one to run away from Him, it is more like a “awesome respect”. Maybe similar to what we mean when we say we have a “healthy fear of electricity”. We don’t run away when a light is turned on, but we also make sure the power is shut off before installing new lights, changing electrical plugs, etc.
   
And this “fear of the Lord” is how Paul operated. When things didn’t go as he planned (he thought God sent him to Rome to convert rulers, instead he ended up appearing before them as a prisoner), rather than blame God, he had a healthy respect and looked for a different perspective. God gave him that different perspective. Paul recorded his new perspective in Philippians 1:12-14 (you can look it up in a Bible app or even Google it). Paul wanted to share his story and God’s plan to the Roman government. The government “supplied” soldiers who were literally handcuffed to Paul at all times (to keep him from escaping). Paul had a captive audience. And what do you think the chances were of Paul having an open invitation to speak to Roman rulers before this? But now, they had to hear him out because Paul was on trial. Not what Paul pictured, but it certainly put him before the government of Rome.  
   
Sometimes life does not make sense from our perspective. It’s been my experience that God has a MUCH larger perspective and I’ve found He ALWAYS knows better than me. When life didn’t make sense, Solomon (wisest man to ever live) and Paul (one of the most influential) decided the wise thing to do was to look to God for a different perspective.
   
Circumstances are almost always out of our control. We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we frame it. This week I'm praying for you to know where to look (wisdom) to reframe situations that don’t go according to plan.

Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

2021 Wisdom Series - Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4