Proverbs 2:3
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Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
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The Preacher is in the middle of exhorting his son to several duties necessary to gaining wisdom (2:1-9). This verse exhorted him, and exhorts us, to pray fervently for it. Here is no bland request for wisdom, but rather a desperate, passionate, and zealous cry for it.
The LORD chose to operate in certain areas by request
only; so James wrote, "Ye have not, because ye ask not" (Jas 4:2). Unless
we ask and beg for certain things, God will let us live without them.
He has made it easy for us to ask Him, as our Father (Matt 7:7-11). Could
it be that your deficiency in wisdom is due to having asked very little
for it?
Wisdom is something we should ask for (Jas 1:5). If we want more wisdom,
He promises to hear and answer our request liberally! What a precious
promise! Especially in the light of wisdom's importance taught in Proverbs!
He will give it liberally and not criticize us for our importunate and
frequent requests! We may covet wisdom freely!
But we must ask in faith, with a single mind, or we will receive nothing from the Lord (Jas 1:6-8). For without faith it is impossible to please the Giver of wisdom (Heb 11:6).
God offered Solomon any request and blessed his desire for wisdom abundantly, and He also gave him other blessings (II Chr 1:7-12). But we have the same offer from heaven! Why do you not request it as he did (Matt 7:7-11; 11:24; 18:19; John 14:13-14)? Daniel also prayed for wisdom and received it liberally (Dan 2:16-19; 9:20-23; 10:10-21).
Noble men will have holy reasons for seeking wisdom (Ps 119:11,26-27,34,73,125). Consider the psalmist's prayer for God to give him understanding in the word of God and truth (Ps 119:18; 25:4-5). Paul prayed for saints to get wisdom by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:17-18; Col 1:9-10), and the Spirit is something for which we also pray (Luke 11:13).
We must tremble before the Lord, lest He judge us with blindness, as He has most men (John 9:39-41; Matt 11:25-27; 13:9-17). There can be no shame at being a child before the Lord, for it is this very spirit of humility that He most richly blesses. Our Lord Jesus grew in wisdom before God and men (Luke 2:52), and it is certain He prayed for it.
When did you last pray for wisdom, dear reader? When did you last pray passionately for it? Study may make a scholar, but only prayer will make a saint. Much reading may increase your learning, but only the revelation of the Spirit can give you wisdom. If you crave wisdom, crave it from your knees; and from your knees beg the God of Solomon.
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