Author: David Short

Wisdom of Solomon 12:1-2

For Your immortal Spirit is in all things.
For this reason You correct little by little those who fall away,
And You remind and warn them of the sins they commit
So they may be freed from evil and believe in You, O Lord.

Encouraging Words

The Spirit of God is in all things. That is indeed possible because God is the creator and sustainer of all things, past, present, and future. Because of this, God can use all things to provide guidance for us to draw closer to Him, to correct us when we miss the mark, and free us from the evil of this fallen world. Sometimes our free will gets in the way, but He is patient. Glory be to God!

Philippians 3:8-11

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Personal Challenge

Paul had a lot going for him before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was educated in the best circles. He was well to do, especially since he was a Roman citizen. He was a leader in his church. And yet, he calls all of that rubbish compared to his new life in Christ. Are we willing to give up everything for Christ? Am I? Do we find everything in Christ, or do we look to ourselves, our jobs, our political leaders, or everything but Christ? Only in Christ will we find eternal life, resurrection from our death. Only in Christ will we find righteousness. There is a price though for these blessings. We must be willing to count all earthly things as rubbish and seek after Him. Glory be to God!

Wisdom of Solomon 8:17-20

Philippians 2:14-16

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Personal Challenge

So, we are to be found as children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. How do we do that? We start by doing all things without complaining and disputing. Well, we are failing at that if we are participating in the divisive and demeaning practices that we see in our political culture today. We are to shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life. We really must look at our lives and determine to live for Christ the way that He would have us live. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Wisdom of Solomon 8:7

Wisdom of Solomon 8:5-6

Now if riches are a possession to be desired in life,
What is richer than wisdom, who works all things?
And if discernment shows itself in action,
Who more than wisdom is its craftsman?

Encouraging Words

What is richer than wisdom? Nothing, when wisdom is Jesus! Wisdom works all things in our lives. And who, again, is wisdom? Jesus Christ is wisdom. He, as wisdom, is the craftsman of discernment. How encouraging it is to know that Jesus has us in His arms. Glory be to God!

Philippians 2:5-7

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Personal Challenge

This passage starts off with a very critical statement. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” If we are truly following in the footsteps of Christ, then not only will our hearts of stone be replaced with hearts of flesh, but our minds will be conformed to the mind of Christ. Is this evident in how we think, talk, and act? If not, then it is time for a reset. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-23

So in herself, wisdom is a spirit that is rational,
Holy, only-begotten, manifold, subtle, easily moved, clear,
Undefiled, manifest, invulnerable, loving what is good, keen,
Unhindered, beneficent, man-loving, steadfast, unfailing,
Free from worry, all-powerful, all-surveying,
And penetrating all spirits that are rational, pure, and most subtle.

Encouraging Words

These two verses really highlight how wisdom in the Old Testament is the representation of Jesus Christ. Glory be to God!