Cornerstone

Proverbs 16:13-16 (16)

¹³ Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.

¹⁴ A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will appease it.

¹⁵ When a king’s face brightens, it means life;
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!

Biblical Wisdom properly defined is when we “see things from God’s perspective.”  The problem is identified in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus demonstrates in practical terms what Biblical Wisdom is all about.  Strangely enough the human reaction appears normally to be the direct opposite of the Divine desire.  Proverbs 2:10-15 gives an “if-then” statement of promise.  “When (if) wisdom enters into your heart, and (if) knowledge is pleasant to your soul; (then) discretion shall preserve you, (and then) understanding shall keep you.”

In Phuket, Thailand, a sign hangs outside a doctor’s office. The words in Thai are followed by an English translation, which proudly proclaims: FAIRLY RELIABLE DOCTOR.  Although this interpretation probably does not convey the intent of the doctor it does describe our human endeavors that lack godly wisdom.  When our life’s intent is to see things from God’s perspective we can then be assured that the results will be different.  They may be confusing to the world but they will be pleasing to God.

James’ admonition is encouraging.  James 1:5 tells us that if we discover that we look at things only from a human perspective that we should ask God to help us to learn how to look at things from His view point.  When we ask, James says we can be sure of two things:  1) God will generously bestow this ability upon us, and 2) He will not scold us for our spiritual sluggishness that causes us to be slow to make this request.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Heb. 11:1-13 (13)

Have you ever been to a foreign country? The only countries that I have been in beside the United States of America include Canada, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Myanmar (Burma). I had the same experience in all of these foreign countries.

Although my visits to these foreign countries were brief and beneficial, I had an inner longing to return to my home in the United States of America. It was there that I felt the tension disperse from my body. I reminded myself that I had freedoms and privileges that even other free countries envy. This also reminded me that although I love my country and at home here . . . in a real sense I am not at home. I am only a pilgrim, a stranger passing through. My citizenship is in heaven. One day a King came to visit and saw that I was an orphan, helpless and alone. In love, pity and mercy He adopted me and made me His son. At that time He gave me citizenship in His country. Since that time I have been trying to learn to be like His only begotten Son because I want to be well prepared to enter the Pearly White city and enjoy my citizenship in heaven forever!

Dr. Gayle Woods