Wisdom from Above

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever" (Psalm 111:10).

We had just spent another day going over practice questions that might be used in the ACT college entrance test. My son was getting tired of the extra school work required to prepare for this important test, but I ignored his grumblings. After all, didn't he know that he had to be the smartest child there? I had high expectations to say the least.

All homeschooling parents desire their children to excel in intelligence. We constantly worry and second guess whether they are learning what they should. We compare our children to those of fellow homeschoolers and students taught in a school. We may even go to the extent of having our children take regular achievement tests - all in the desire to prove our children are learning. All this comparing and testing may prove our children are smart, but does this testing show they are wise?

In 1 Kings 4:31, King Solomon is described as "wiser than all men." He spoke over 3,000 proverbs and 1,000 songs. People from all nations came to hear his wisdom, and his discernment was like the sand on the seashore. Even the Queen of Sheba was amazed at Solomon's wisdom and said how blessed his men and servants were who heard him speak. God's Word tells us in 1 Kings 3:5-15 that Solomon's great wisdom was given as a gift from God. The Lord blessed Solomon because of his humility and desire to lead God's people. Solomon learned that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," which is true intelligence.

Do you think you're smart and you know all the answers? Do you figure out problems on your own and think your way is always the best way? Look up and be truly wise! God's wisdom is not according to this world. "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1 Corinthians 1:20 & 27). As you homeschool this year, live in humble obedience to God and receive the true wisdom from above to pass the tests in life.

Lord, forgive me when I think I'm so smart. I need Your wisdom so much more than earthly intelligence. Humble my heart today and teach me what I need to know. In Jesus' name, Amen.