“From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? Job 28:20
The above questions are what Job asked in his time of deep need and trial. Wrongly accused by his unhelpful friends, as being sinfully out of sorts with God, Job knew that was not the main issue! He then did what all good theologians should do and that is begin with God in order to find the solution. Job drew upon what God had told him. This word from God answered his questions.
We like Job, often have to grapple with life, its issues and complexities. We are tested by God in different ways. Our faithfulness to the Lord is tested in the workplace, at home, in our marriages, with ill health or any other trouble that hits our path. The one question that our minds scream out in these testing situations is “Lord I need wisdom... show me how to handle this trying situation... help me understand from your perspective, what’s going on here?”
I’m sure we have all been here and longed for a sure word of wisdom and understanding that points us in the right direction.
Well, begin with God - like Job did! How does his theology answer his questions? Here is the answer in Job 28:28 where God spoke and said to all mankind, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.”
The wisest truth that anyone can submit to, no matter what the circumstances, is to always, have a healthy fear of God.
Then the proof of that fear is repentance - turning away from evil. This wisdom & understanding is what we must begin with in order please God in all the issues of life.