03/01/2018

Good Morning! In this internet age, we have at the touch of a finger on a computer or mobile phone more access to information than at any other time in human history. We can become easily familiar with the opinions of politicians, economists, sports pundits, commentators and thousands who make no claim to have expertise in any of these fields. Views that are utterly and violently opposed to each other fill up the ether.

And it can frequently be more than a touch confusing - as we try to sort out the good from the bad, the sensible from the nonsensical, the lies from the truth. And I’m reminded of a question that’s found in the Old Testament - asked by that troubled man Job in the 28th chapter of the book that bears his name: “But where shall wisdom be found?”

Where shall wisdom be found. Wisdom isn’t the same as knowledge or information. It’s possible for someone to know a vast amount about a multitude of subjects and yet not to display that often elusive quality called wisdom. That mixture of knowledge and experience common sense and insight. In fact it’s probably easier to recognise than to define. The wise person may or not be highly educated, he or she may be young or old, although there’s a tendency now to ignore, or even despise, the wisdom of the old,

The Old Testament contains a number of books, commonly called Wisdom Literature. The book of Proverbs is one; full of pieces of sensible advice, much of it still relevant centuries after it was written. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom- according to the writer of Proverbs fear in the sense of being obedient to God’s will.

Lord, grant us obedience to your purpose that we may find wisdom. Amen