“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”
(Psalm 24:1).

“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2:21).

“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases” (Job 23:13).

Let these verses bring finality to mankind’s idea that he can put a question mark where God has put a period. The bottom line is this: People change, but God never changes. He made all things perfect and His rules and laws apply to all generations…past, present, and future.

His commandments are non-negotiable. He is holy and just. His way is what matters. His voice is all that counts. Hebrews 13:8 conveys this: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Isaiah 55:9 states “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Many in this world will try to unravel and change what God has set in stone. Many will try to walk the line of compromise, but God commands we walk the straight and narrow.

Matthew 7:13-14 states: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

We cannot compromise our morality or believe anything created by Man should overrule what God has given finality. We must look at what He deems good and what He deems sinful and obey accordingly. As many have stated in the past, the Ten Commandments are not the Ten Suggestions.

We must put our trust fully in our Heavenly Father remembering that our God encompasses all wisdom. He created wisdom. He is wiser than all of mankind combined and knows what’s best for each of us. His laws are in place out of His love for each of us. He reigns with justice and righteousness. He is pure and holy. He deserves our trust and obedience in all matters. And when we obey His commands, answer the call, and follow the straight and narrow, we will always be on the side of right and able to carry out.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

Let’s allow God to take His rightful place in our hearts, lives and decisions. Let’s be led by Him and not compromise when men try to change what God has set from the very beginning. His Word is unchanging…praise God!

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

It should bring comfort and peace to believers everywhere that our Heavenly Father is the final authority on everything! He holds the whole world in His hands and has proven He is both trustworthy and capable to hold it all!

Romans 11:36 states “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

Remember friends, when we’re tempted to follow those who would attempt to change divine laws and place a question mark, we should remind our hearts that God has already placed a period… period!

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life”  (Proverbs 9:10-11)

Interestingly, the beginning of wisdom, according to the Holy Scripture, begins with the fear of the Lord. All good things begin with the Lord and our reverence and respect for Him. Godly wisdom leads to the beginning of understanding. Understanding lends itself to responsibility. Responsibility calls for action. Action brings change. Change can affect everything it touches.

It’s no wonder everything we do, whether big or small, be done in the fear of the Lord. It is the standard we should adhere to as sons and daughters of the King in order to both obey and obtain true wisdom.

Some of the wisest men we encounter in the Bible understood this important truth and realized the implications that can come from both fearing and not fearing the Lord. Wisdom starts with seeking the One who created it, which is why decisions should be guided by God’s Word and wrapped in prayer.

Something that hinders us from equipping ourselves and growing in wisdom is the sin of our own pride. Our knowledge and understanding will always be limited when pride is in the picture. Pride creates a barricade. It diminishes our ability to seek God and clearly hear His voice. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us of this truth:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Apart from God, we are weaker. Apart from Him we are less wise.

Acquiring wisdom is a blessing. King Solomon could have asked for anything, but in humbleness he asked for wisdom. God rewarded Solomon for seeking, with a humble heart,  what he could never attain without God’s intervention. Solomon was given a precious gift, the same gift God offers to us today. But, there’s a catch-it’s given to those willing to humble themselves and let God take control.

God’s Word is key to gaining wisdom. Studying the Bible gives us those “lightbulb moments” and, with each revelation, we are given more knowledge and understanding. As we dive in, we get the added bonus of becoming more discerning in the affairs of life. The Bible becomes our tried-and-true roadmap. Its rich knowledge will always, without fail, safely guide us on our journey.

God uses His Word to sharpen and shape us. He never leaves us without the proper equipment, but requires us to study so we can be more influential in our lives and to those we meet. He lovingly reminds us in James 1:5:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 3:17 states, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”.

In a nutshell, we could study all the books ever written and gain the knowledge the world offers us, but the Bible is the only book that holds the key and unlocks the door to godly wisdom. Jeremiah 33:3 continues the call to seek God’s wisdom in our lives:

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Praise God for loving us enough to correct us, guide us, change us and equip us. God can do much when we’re willing to surrender and let Him take control. And when we answer  the call to wise up, we’ll be more able to rise up and shine for Him.

hspate@verizon.net