How to Seek Wisdom
Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD,
and you will gain knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:3–5)
If you genuinely desire God’s wisdom, rest assured He has promised not to withhold it. He declares, “I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me” (Proverbs 8:17). Here are two additional disciplines that will put you in touch with God’s insight, knowledge, and understanding.
3. The discipline of prevailing prayer
“Cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding” (v. 3).
Perhaps the single most overlooked discipline in the Christian life—and among the most difficult—is consistent prayer. Prevailing prayer. Ongoing, unceasing prayer.
Don’t misunderstand. I’m not suggesting we should simply spend more time in prayer. Increasing the number of minutes talking to God should not become our focus. Instead, let us cultivate a mind-set oriented to prayer and a lifestyle that includes a sustained, running conversation with the Lord throughout the day. Plagued by worry? Let that prompt you to unload your concerns before God. Dismayed by conflict? Share them with the Lord and ask for His intervention. Perplexed by a problem? Ask God for insight, understanding, and discernment. Don’t save up your problems and questions for a long session later in the day. Converse with God moment by moment as you experience life.
Pray as you go, but don’t neglect time for reflection. Be sure to set aside a few minutes throughout the day—five to ten minutes as often as necessary—for solitude, for a place and time that will allow you to clear away distractions and give your mind a break. Nothing mystical or mysterious here, but don’t be surprised when clarity displaces confusion.
4. The discipline of daily consistency
If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures . . .” (v. 4).
We’re talking diligence and effort here! The saying calls us to seek God’s truths as if we are digging for silver and to search His mind in the same way we would pursue hidden treasures. This is no superficial game! It’s an earnest, diligent pursuit of the mind of Christ! While we don’t have to earn His favor—and we can be sure that He’s not withholding insight to make us work harder—we must nevertheless cultivate a desire for His wisdom that’s no less intense than our natural lust for wealth.
Cultivating a desire for divine wisdom begins with the decision to make it a priority and to begin pursuing it. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). It’s a biological principle that you will increasingly value whatever you make it a habit to pursue. Solomon declared, therefore, that our cultivating an earnest hunger for wisdom will be rewarded: “Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5).
Taken from Living the Proverbs by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2012 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Worthy Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
