GET WISDOM by C. W. McConnell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1901

GET WISDOM.

By C. W. McConnell

C. W. MC CONNELL.

Of all the things in this world to be desired, there is none more valuable than true wisdom—the wisdom of God.

We are admonished to “get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.” Prov. 4:5–7.

“The wisdom of God alone can unfold the mysteries of the plan of salvation. The wisdom of man may or may not be valuable, but this wisdom of God is indispensable.”

There are inestimable treasures in the Bible. It is like a mine full of precious ore. It is not valued; it is not searched; and therefore its riches are not discovered.

By considering the twenty-eighth chapter of Job, we can see very clearly that there is a place for everything, or a place where everything may be found. “Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it. Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone,” etc.

But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? . . . It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. . . . The exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.” “The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not in me.”

Then, “seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living,” where shall we look for it?

We have it! “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The Holy Scriptures are able to make the man of God “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ.” See also Ps. 111:10; Prov. 2:6; Eccl. 2:26; Dan. 2:20; etc., etc.

Every one who values the heavenly treasure should exercise his mental and spiritual powers, and sink the shaft deep into the “mine of truth,”—that he may obtain the celestial gold,”—that wisdom which will make him wise unto salvation.

We are not merely to read the Scriptures, but to study, to consider. It is written: “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” What precious promises are enfolded in those pages! Every one, as he opens the Bible, should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and the promise is sure that “it shall be given.”

I am indeed thankful that the Lord is opening my eyes, and has given me a heart to study His word. Let us diligently search the Word, with a teachable and prayerful spirit and a contrite heart, while we have the privilege: not for the sake of argument, but with the single object of learning what God has said, and of showing ourselves “approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”