Wise Strength

For Monday, August 6, 2007
Proverbs 24:5-6

A wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

The first half of the proverb seems to be extolling individual wisdom. The wise man alone is full of strength. But the latter half unveils more about wisdom. The true wise person seeks wise counsel. Wisdom leans on wisdom. A wise person knows that he alone does not have all wisdom. He knows his limits. He values others who see what he cannot see. He is not hampered by pride that refuses to acknowledge what others may possess and he lacks.

This is a primary reason that the wise achieve victory over those who are stronger. Unhampered by pride, they can think through carefully what is the best action to take. They are not weighed down by petty disputes and jealousies. Wise counselors think what is best for the one taking their counsel. Wise rulers listen humbly to wise counsel and act accordingly.

How are you guided? By what appeals to your ego or what presents clearly scriptural truth in light of the real circumstances? From whom do you seek counsel? From those known for wisdom or from those you can count on to take your side and flatter you? If you want to be strong, then humbly seek the wise counsel of those wiser than yourself. Out of such humility one finds wisdom and becomes strong.