Wisdom and Understanding Come from God

# The Treasure Trove of Trạng's Tales

The Treasure Trove of Trạng's Tales contains an amusing story about "Trạng" when he was young, named Chung Nhi, who started school at age six. His teacher instructed him to read a sentence from the Three Character Classic that said: "Heaven endows the clever and wise, the Saints help accomplish great deeds." When the teacher read it, Chung Nhi wasn't paying attention, so when the teacher finished, Chung Nhi read it incorrectly as: "Heaven endows the clever and foolish, the Saints lie sprawling with legs up in the air." The teacher taught it again and again, five times, seven times over, but the boy kept reading it the same wrong way. The teacher became so angry that he ordered the boy to lie down for a beating, but each time the teacher raised the cane, Chung Nhi rolled onto his back, stretched all four limbs toward the sky, and stammered aloud: "Heaven endows the clever and foolish, the Saints lie sprawling with legs up in the air,... why does teacher make me lie face down?" The teacher found it so funny that he stopped the beating!

Teaching children is truly difficult, isn't it, friend? But teaching them to understand, remember, and follow the true Way and Truth of God is even more difficult! The wisdom in this story means, "Heaven grants people intelligence, and the Saints help accomplish great works." This saying shows us that long ago, among common people, especially in our beloved Vietnam, they already recognized: Heaven—God Almighty—is the One who grants wisdom to people, and the Saints refer to the Holy Spirit who will help people know what is right to do with the wisdom that God has given. Thanks be to God!

As followers of Jesus Christ, we know this truth clearly has been recorded in the Holy Bible, the Word of God. The Bible tells us that God grants us knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, as written in Proverbs 2:6: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding"; Proverbs 9:11, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One is understanding"; Ecclesiastes 2:26, "To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…" Furthermore, Jesus also said to His disciples before He left them: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).

These Scripture passages assure us that true wisdom comes from God Almighty, not from within ourselves, and it is His Holy Spirit who will teach us, guide us, explain things to us so we understand, and help us practice God's Word truthfully. We are His creation, and only He grants us absolute wisdom! Therefore, if we find ourselves lacking wisdom, we should ask and God will give it, as the Apostle James advised: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5).

Through God's Word, we understand that God is the One who gives the "gift of knowledge"—that is, understanding or awareness of something truthfully. When we meditate on God's Word, His Holy Spirit Himself teaches us so we can understand correctly. This wisdom, understanding, and insight, God only grants to those who have an intimate and sincere relationship with Him. We must humble ourselves, recognize that we are weak and need His help, need His wisdom, so that we may understand God's Word clearly and apply it faithfully, in a way pleasing to God!

We need to pray for one another and for ourselves. We must diligently study God's Word and ask according to God's Word, according to the guidance of His Holy Spirit! "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts" (Colossians 3:16). Amen!

Wisdom and understanding come from God, All-knowing, all-seeing, He alone, Come and ask, trust in His power, Humble yourself, believe, never wavering!

God's Law, His commands, His living Word, Meditate day and night, throughout all days, To guard your heart, refrain from sin, Yet always enlightened, blessed indeed!

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