This summer my kids took turns walking my sister’s dog with my Dad. My sister’s dog, Patty, probably weighs more than most of them! However, my Dad helped them learn how to control her, even if they aren’t stronger than her. I guess you could say they learned how to outsmart rather than overpower.
Solomon was impressed by wisdom’s power over strength.
Ecclesiastes
9:13-18 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that
greatly impressed me: 14 There
was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came
against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a man poor
but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor
man. 16 So I said, “Wisdom
is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words
are no longer heeded.
17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons
of war,
but one sinner destroys much good.
Strength isn’t everything. We can desire strength in order to gain power or fame, but it can crumble in an instant. Man’s wisdom can outsmart the strong, but as Solomon points out, even that can be fleeting. Seeking God’s wisdom has eternal significance, though!
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Are you and I chasing after strength or wisdom? For what purpose and by what means? Let’s seek God’s wisdom for an eternal harvest of righteousness.