Old people have wisdom, but God has wisdom and power. Old people have insight; God has insight and power to act. Job 12:12-13, GNT

 

To the only God, who alone is all-wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever! Amen. Romans 16:27, GNT

 

We would all like to be regarded as wise. Many philosophers have been very highly regarded through the ages. Their influence on the history of the world cannot be ignored. Let us take Karl Marx as an example. His name is probably the most prominent in the development of socialism. All of these philosophers and influences combined created a system that had a huge influence on history, alas, not always to the benefit of mankind.

 

When Job tells us that old people usually have wisdom, it does not mean that only old people have wisdom. Many young people are wiser than many older people. What Job wants to emphasise is that in most cases, it takes time to become a wise person. Wisdom is not something easily acquired. It is a process and as we all know, it is a valued quality. Even very wise people can sometimes make grave mistakes.

 

In contrast with humans and our not-always-wise plans, God is always wise and powerful. His wisdom, power, advice and insight are totally superior to ours, no matter how wise we might be. His wisdom is always perfect and it is available to us every single moment of every day.

 

Paul closed his letter to the Romans with a doxology. The words “only God” and “all-wise” are the crux of what he wanted to say. God is the only true God; the only one who is all-wise. His wisdom is completely different from ours. It is not speculation or philosophy. It becomes visible in a very special way through what Jesus came to do. Our philosophies and wisdom are limited and bound by time. The wisdom of the omniscient God is eternal – he always knows exactly what we need.

 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that we never have to doubt your wisdom; a wisdom that made eternal life possible for and accessible to us. Amen.