Important for the New Year
Get Wisdom & Understanding
In Proverbs 4:7, wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Walking in wisdom and understanding is available to the believer in Jesus Christ.
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
“In all your getting, get understanding” is not a suggestion, but a command.
The Hebrew word for getting is “acquire,” and it has deeper roots than we might suspect. In Hebrew, it means to seek, to make towards, to follow.
The Latin word for “get” means to follow, to press, to urge; it signifies to pursue to the end.
Noah Webster defines the word “get” as to gain, by any means, something which is in a degree permanent, or which becomes vested or inherent in the possessor.
A mere temporary possession is not expressed by acquire. Wisdom becomes our own and a part of who we are. We must seek God’s wisdom.
Proverbs 4:7 further says, “get understanding.” Understanding is to be sought after, pursued, followed after, because it becomes vested or inherent in the possessor.
Several verses in Psalm 119 help us with acquiring “understanding”:
In verse 34, it says, “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”
In verse 73, we read, “Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.”
In verse 25, it is explained, “I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.”
In verse 144, we see the Psalmist plea, “The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding, and I shall live.”
In verse 169, it is written, "Let my cry come before You, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word.”
Understanding can be requested from the Living God to keep His law, to learn His commandments, to know His testimonies, and to live according to His Word.
Wisdom and understanding are critical for resolute living in 2024. As confusion increases, the need for wisdom and understanding also increases. And when we press through the challenges of life with God’s wisdom and understanding, it is natural to share what has been acquired with someone else who is in need.
Pastor Shane Mitchell
Wisdom and Understanding Are Available
Recorded: Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 (Morning Service)
Shane Mitchell, Pastor of Reaching Our City Kenner (ROCK) Church of the Nazarene and US Navy Chief Petty Officer, NBC alumnus