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Wisdom Beyond “However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard.” 2 Chron. 9:6   The Queen of Sheba heard the fame of Solomon’s wisdom and abundance. She, with her great entourage, travelled to Jerusalem laden with an abundance of spices, gems, gold, and questions. The queen met with the king, bared her heart, and was in awe as every point was answered, not with the wisdom of man, but the wisdom of God. His kingdom was beyond compare in resources, administration, service, and joy (2 Chron. 9:4,7). The queen showered gifts, and in return “King Solomon gave to the Queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, much more than she had brought to the king.” (vs. 12)   Prior, young Solomon knew that the task of leading the nation of Israel was beyond his ability. God posed the question, “Ask! What shall I give you?” With reverence he replied, “Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can judge this great people of Yours?” Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—wisdom and knowledge are granted to you ; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor …(1 Chron. 1:7,9-12)”   In our time, wisdom is vital and lacking. The wisdom of man can be defined as ‘the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment?’ But in a time when good is called evil, and evil good, what is the plumbline of “good” judgment. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)” I’ve always defined wisdom as ‘seeing from God’s perspective.’ In Jesus, we are “seated with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).” In Him wisdom is personified. In Him, we have His perspective, understanding, and knowledge as we too ask for the downloads.   When Eve, and Adam, ate the fruit from the restricted tree, they did not gain wisdom, but the “knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16- 17).” Eating the fruit of the tree enabled them to “know good and evil” (Gen. 3:5) as satan promised, and sadly they knew by experience. But wisdom is not knowing good and evil. Wisdom is knowing good from evil, by divine perspective, which enables us to see from above and bring correction to evil, escaping the “knowing” experiences of personal shame and pain.   The fear of the Lord, the awesome reverence of His sovereignty and love, is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10); knowing that He sees what’s best for us, for all, for eternity. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Is. 55:8-9).” The outpouring of God’s wisdom ushers in His kingdom beyond compare, with ample resources, administration, service, and joy.   Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither turn away from the words of my mouth. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding.” Prov. 4:5,7     In Him,   Pastor Sharon Carlson 11/112
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