Proverbs 2:6-9 

⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. ⁷ He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, ⁸ for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. ⁹ Then you will understand what is right and just  and fair—every good path.

Sari-Sari Store

In the Philippine countryside, “Sari-sari” stores are popular. “Sari-sari” can be translated in English as “assorted variety.” Merchants sell a variety of assorted items in a “Sari-sari” store. In a small village where almost everyone knows everybody, Sari-sari store owners have to be very creative how to collect payment. If people with no cash on hand want items sold at Sari-sari stores, they promise to pay it at the end of the month or until harvest time or when they have cash on hand. With short financial capital, a Sari-sari store has slow progress; it may even go bankrupt.

King Solomon had wisely advised investors in Ecclesiastes 11:2, ²Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

Billionaires in this generation heed such advice; they have multiple investments.

Truly, nobody knows which investment will thrive successfully. There are many factors that may cause businesses to prosper or even fail. Hence, it is very advisable to seek wisdom from the Lord, and not just jump into decision of venturing in any business. Can you strongly believe that God gives you a great strategy or approach, if you plan to start a business? Can you trust that God will make your business prosper?

Starting a business is also another opportunity to practice faith in God. Pray for godly wisdom. Pray for increase of faith to trust that God gives you godly wisdom. Pray also that God will give you firm decision on which business you should venture into.

1.  Give

⁶For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. ⁷He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.

When King Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs, he had personally proven that with godly wisdom, he practically experienced success in all his ventures. He was the wealthiest king in his generation. And during his reign as king, there was peace in Israel. He was politically brilliant; surrounding nation did not bother to attack or invade Israel. Citizens of Israel had prospered also. How did King Solomon get favorable blessing?

King Solomon had sincerely prayed to the Lord God in 2 Chronicles 1:10-12.

“¹⁰Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” ¹¹God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, ¹²therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

King Solomon had personally prayed for wisdom and knowledge to govern his people responsibly; the Lord had granted his desire to have wisdom and knowledge of governance; and, he also added wealth, possessions and honor to King Solomon.

As result of the godly wisdom and knowledge that God gave him, King Solomon had governed Israel peacefully and progressively. King Solomon has practically proven it that, with godly wisdom, other important factors for good government were included.

King Solomon was not a traditional politician before he became king of Israel. The Lord had chosen Solomon as king of Israel. Therefore, God knows how to make Solomon succeeded as king; God provided things he needed as wise king. Solomon admitted that he knew nothing how to govern as king; so, he prayed to the Lord for godly wisdom and knowledge how to govern responsibly. God was pleased and granted him godly wisdom.

In comparison, when Rehoboam succeeded his father Solomon as king, he made his very first decision as king based on his personal assumption and presupposition.

It says in 2 Chronicles 10:8, ⁸Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 

Why did Rehoboam choose to follow the advice of the young men who grew up with him and were serving him? It is possible that he trusted his contemporaries more than the elders who served his father. The result of his decision caused division in Israel.

Why did God allow such event to happen? Did God intentionally allow such event as practical example that godly wisdom from the Lord is far beneficial and favorable?

It says in Jeremiah 17:5-8,  ⁵This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. ⁶That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. ⁷“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. ⁸ They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Here’s a personal challenge: Observe your lifestyle and career very meticulously. Pray very sincerely for godly wisdom to do your duties and obligations responsibly.

May our gracious Lord God blesses, protects and guards us from complacency.

2.  Guard

⁸ for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. ⁹ Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.

The Lord gives wisdom; godly knowledge and understanding comes from him.

Success comes from him; he shields, guards and protects his faithful ones. With godly wisdom, we choose to do what is right, just and fair, and follow every good path.

It admonished us in James 1:5-8, ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

It might be very simple statement but actually, to understand and respond to and follow this godly advisory, we also need godly wisdom and understanding.

Spring

Spring is here! Those who love fishing cannot help but feel excited to go fishing. Few years ago, we went fishing at the lake and caught fish. The following year, we went again to the same fishing spot, but we catch fish but not as much as the previous year; and then last year, we went to the same fishing spot and did not catch any fish, why?

There are many factors that we can speculate like weather, sunny, cloudy rainy, snowy, and even numbers of fishermen. If you desire to have a great catch, you need to be strategic; you need to know where, when and how to catch much fish.

Similarly, to experience favorable Christian lifestyle, we need godly wisdom to be more productive practically and spiritually; and still have leisure time with the Lord.

How could we do that? How could we be spiritually fruitful? It says in Job 32:7-8, ⁸It is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

Do you believe that God placed you in a strategic situation as opportunity to experience much of his grace? In our situations, we have problem we cannot personally solve, why? The Lord wants us to rely upon him; so when he solves our problem, we would thank and praise him. King David had sincerely prayed in Psalm 119:34, ³⁴Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

King David had his own share of difficult struggles, but he believed that the laws of the Lord are open secret to his success as king. Being so, he prayed for understanding. Why?

Do you trust that God reserved and stored success for believers who trust in him? Can you believe that God’s laws are an open secret to success?

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can only understand that godly laws are path to success. We can only follow godly instructions when empowered by his Holy Spirit. Godly instructions are a path to success stored for the obedient believer.

Pray for increase of faith to strongly believe it without any hint of doubt.

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