Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Psalm 62 and Proverbs 24:1-22

The wise man writes, “The wise are mightier than the strong,
    and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.” (v.5) Later he adds, “If you fail under pressure,
    your strength is too small.” (v.10) I think those two lines are very closely connected.

Wisdom gives birth to true courage and strength of character, because it in turn is born of the determined resolve to do what is pleasing to God above everything else. Wisdom liberates us to make decisions based on our higher love for God, and not on what is easiest, safest, most popular, convenient or comfortable. When that is true of us, we cannot be contained or controlled by fear.

Verse 10 explains that when we fail under pressure, it is because our strength is too small. But I don’t believe the author means our physical or mental strength. In context, surely he means the spiritual strength that comes from wisdom. Consider that if a piece of machinery fails under pressure, it’s a warning sign that a repair is needed, or pretty soon it will be failing even without pressure. For the disciple, failure under pressure does not mean that we have become a permanent failure, but it is certainly a warning sign that we need to repair our decision-making priorities, and get God and His will back to the centre.

We should also bear in mind that the will of God is good, pleasing and perfect. Therefore we can rest assured that wisdom also leads us towards that which is in our own ultimate best interests. All of this implies that while physical strength is of significant value, wisdom is to be valued even more.

Heavenly Father, God of wisdom, grant me true wisdom. And through Your wisdom, liberate me from the controlling power of fear or the self-centred desire for comfort, ease and popularity. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.