Wisdom is to seek the will of God
When Moses wrote Psalm 90 he was thinking about how short life is and how quickly it passes by (see verses 4-9). He then says: “Teach us to number our days so we can have a wise heart.” Psalm 90:12 (CEB). Another translation (CEV) says: “Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.”
Paul also says the same in Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV): “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” To seek God’s will is the wisest thing we can do while we are on this earth, and we will get a wise heart if we do so.
Jesus was seeking this wisdom all His days when He was here on earth. “That is why, when Christ came into the world, He said to God, ‘You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures.’” Hebrews 10:5-7 (NLT).
Jesus also gave this testimony: “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” John 5:30. His thoughts were always busy with doing His Father’s will.
How do we live our lives?
All the letters of the New Testament are written to help believers find the will of God. For example, John says clearly in 1 John 2:15-17 (GNT): “Do not love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you do not love the Father. Everything that belongs to the world—what the sinful self desires, what people see and want, and everything in this world that people are so proud of—none of this comes from the Father; it all comes from the world. The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.”
Peter also writes: “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” 1 Peter 2:21-23 (NLT). These and many other exhortations are written to help us know the will of the Lord for ourselves personally.
When we choose to live our days on earth in this way, we will have a great reward in the eternal life. When Paul, who had lived in this way for many years, knew his life’s end was near, he says: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT).
May we live each day for the rest of our lives wisely, seeking with our whole heart to do the will of God.