Posted on 11/02/2021 10:17:02 PM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding" (Proverbs 3:13).
There's a lot of talk about wisdom and understanding in this book and that's all good and fine. How many of you ever heard of Bob Schuler out in the Crystal Palace? How many of you would admit to ever listening to David Osteen? Anybody willing to admit to listening to him even just a little bit here and there? Perhaps you could tell me just how much this message compares to their message? Because everybody wants to be happy, right? And that’s what they are about—being happy.
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” Okay, wisdom and understanding. Good enough. Pure enough. Let’s just skim through a few places where this subject of wisdom and happiness is talked about.
“He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he" (Proverbs 14:21). The admonition is to charity. The admonition is to not to take (self), but to give (selfless). Now maybe you'll hear that from them a little bit, but let’s go on.
“He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he" (Proverbs 16:20). You’re better off, and happier, trusting in God rather than trusting in money. You’re happier trusting God then trusting in insurance. You’re happier trusting in God then you are trusting in retirement. Some of you don't even believe that, but it says so. The Bible is either true or it’s not, it says, “happy is the man that trusts in the Lord.” Right?
We need the Bible’s perspective because we're going to get it anywhere else. Your daily newspaper doesn’t write this stuff, so where are we going to get this perspective if we don't get it from the scriptures?
“Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief" (Proverbs 28:14).
It’s talking about fearing the Lord, right? It's not talking about fearing terrorism. It’s not talking about a spirit of fear like most people live in. If they don't fear one thing, they’re going to fear another. If a man doesn’t fear God, then he'll fear the terrorists; or he’ll fear some strain of staphylococcus that no antibiotic can take care of or whatever. He’s going to fear something. If he fears the Lord, he will be a happy man. “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7).
Wisdom is the principal thing, and it is the only principle thing in the Bible. So, what you're stuck with is really the parallel antithesis of what this world is seeking because what you hear constantly in the world is you have to get an education to amount to anything.
The seed of truth is that you do need to get wisdom and it is the principal thing; therefore, get it. The problem is that they are pushing the wisdom of this world, and not the wisdom of God. You may need a college education for wherever you wind up in life; but before you need that you need the wisdom of God and the wisdom of God comes down from above and it is first pure and then peaceable and easy to be entreated. It's not like this world’s wisdom.
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