WHEN THE WISE IS INSTRUCTED – Proverbs 21:11
Proverbs 21:11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
Have you ever heard of rich man complaining he had too much money? Most rich men are always chasing the next dollar. This means that it does not matter how much they have, a little bit more is what they desire.
So likewise, a wise man never has too much knowledge. A wise man desires to obtain more knowledge of the ways of the Lord. A wise man understands that his spiritual bank account is never too large and as such, will continue to seek the Lord and HIS perfect will for his life.
Jesus may have been perfect, but HE still spent time talking to God. Jesus already understood what the perfect will for HIS life was, but this did not stop HIM from praying in the garden. Jesus should be our example in that we are constantly trying to grow closer to God. It does not matter if we understand the will of God for our life, we should still continue to add knowledge of the ways of God.
Joshua was a man who understood that he was supposed to lead the nation of Israel into the Promise Land. After the battle of Jericho, Joshua went to take Ai. Joshua did not seek God whether it was time to attack Ai because Joshua already understood that the land was his and he was commanded to attack. However, had Joshua been a little bit more careful and had a constant relationship with God, Joshua might have found out that there was sin in the camp that would prevent him from receiving the victory.
Joshua could have avoided being defeated by the enemy by simply taking the time to be instructed of God. Joshua was a great man with a great calling, but this did not mean that he could go days on end without talking to God and obtaining a closer understanding on what God desired him to do. There is a time for cleansing and a time for action.
A wise man can always receive more knowledge of the ways of God just like a rich man can obtain more wealth. Abraham was a wise man who had a personal relationship with God. God told Abraham that he was going to have a son. However, Abraham had to wait 25 years to see the fulfillment of the promise. During this 25 years, Abraham received confirmation from the Lord on several occasions that God did desire for him to have that son. Abraham already knew the will of God, but it did not hurt his faith to receive further confirmation of what God desired him to do.
There are many examples both positive and negative throughout scriptures as to why one should continue to seek the Lord. For some reason, people have no problem in understanding the greed of a man who continues to seek more money. However, why is it that people believe that they can have too much of a relationship with God? Why do some people think that too much of God can be a bad thing.
You are not accountable to God for what people think you should do; you are accountable to God for how you respond to what God desires you to do. God desires that you continue to seek HIM. God desires that you spend the time seeking a more perfect knowledge of HIS ways for your life. It does not matter how spiritually rich or poor you are, you can always obtain more knowledge of the ways of God. Spend some time today drawing closer to God.