Overview

1. God has laid up wisdom for our every need
2. Discover streams of divine wisdom in the Word
3. See wisdom at work in the lives of Joseph and Solomon
4. Jesus—the person of wisdom
5. Hold fast to Jesus, the source of our every supply

God has laid up wisdom for our every need

In these complex and uncertain times, what we need is not more knowledge or strategies, but divine wisdom that can only be found in the person of our Lord Jesus.

“Oh, how great is Your goodness,
Which You have laid up for those who fear You,
Which You have prepared for those who trust in You
In the presence of the sons of men!”
—Psalm 31:19 NKJV

The phrase “laid up” tells us something beautiful: God, in His love, has already prepared His wisdom and goodness for us ahead of every challenge we would face.

For centuries, people used whale oil for light, unaware that rivers were already flowing with the potential for hydroelectric power. The resource was always there—laid up—but it hadn’t yet been tapped.

In the same way, God has laid up wisdom for us. Whether it’s in parenting, marriage, health, ministry, or the workplace, there’s a heavenly resource that we can tap into, far beyond anything this world can offer. All we have to do is come to Him and receive it!

In moments of pressure or need, it can be tempting to turn to natural wisdom—advice that seems practical and is readily available through self-help books, videos, or podcasts. Yet Scripture cautions us against solely depending on the wisdom of the world: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…” (Ps. 1:1).

Ungodly counsel doesn’t necessarily come from people who are immoral or wicked. In fact, it may come from those who appear to be moral, successful, and intelligent. But if someone is without God, then their counsel—no matter how persuasive or experienced—is disconnected from the true Source of wisdom.

The world’s wisdom is often based on what has worked in the past, but that doesn’t guarantee it will be effective in the future. In contrast, God’s wisdom is fresh, timeless, and always relevant for what lies ahead. The trends and tools of the world may shift, but God’s storehouse of wisdom is rich for every season.

Discover streams of divine wisdom in the Word

God’s wisdom is not limited to just one form. In the Word, we find many different streams of wisdom—each with its own purpose, uniquely designed to meet specific needs and situations in our lives.

Yet this richness is something we can easily miss when reading our English Bibles, where words like “wisdom,” “understanding,” and “knowledge” appear interchangeable. In the original Hebrew and Greek, however, they represent distinct expressions. Each reveals a different way that God leads, provides, and imparts to us what is necessary in our time of need.

In the Old Testament (Hebrew):

• Sakal: wisdom that brings about good success (Josh. 1:8).
• Hakam: the ability to make wise, just decisions; this is the wisdom Solomon displayed, which drew nations.
• Binah: discernment and insight; the ability to look beyond what is on the surface.
• Madda: a deep, inner knowing; the wisdom of the Lord that leads us from within.

In the New Testament (Greek):

• Sophia: general wisdom; divine understanding of God’s ways and purposes.
• Sunesis: the ability to put two and two together; to draw connections between spiritual truths.
• Phronesis: practical wisdom for everyday living, including good judgment and prudence.

Each of these streams is a gift from God, not something we attain through intellect or effort. Whether you need discernment, clarity, practical wisdom, or insight for leadership, there is a specific stream of wisdom in God’s Word, ready to meet you right where you are.

Christ Revealed as Wisdom in the Old Testament

After His resurrection, Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus and, beginning with Moses and the Prophets, “expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). This is how we’re meant to read the Bible—to see our Lord Jesus revealed in the Scriptures.

And when we look closely, we begin to see Him even in the lives of Old Testament figures. In the stories of Joseph and Solomon, we don’t just see wise men—we see portraits of Jesus, and how divine wisdom works through Him to save, bless, and transform our lives.

1. Joseph—A picture of wisdom that saves and provides

The journey of Joseph is rich with prophetic details that point us to the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus:

• Joseph was greatly loved by his father—just as Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father.
• He was rejected and betrayed by his brothers, sold for silver—just as Jesus was rejected by His own and betrayed for thirty pieces of silver.
• He was falsely accused and cast into prison—as Jesus was falsely condemned and sent to the cross.

In time, Joseph was exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh, where he became the steward of God’s provision for both Egypt and the surrounding nations. Similarly, our Lord Jesus has been raised from the dead and now sits exalted at the Father’s right hand. Today, He is our Bread of Life, through whom heaven’s salvation and provision flow to the world.

Joseph was full of divine wisdom, but this wisdom went beyond simply interpreting Pharaoh’s dream. Joseph also discerned what needed to be done and offered a practical, Spirit-inspired solution to the years of famine (Gen. 41:33–38). Through this, Egypt was preserved and many lives were saved (Gen. 41:53–57).

This shows us that God’s wisdom doesn’t just help us see what’s ahead—it equips us to respond with insight and clarity. And when we walk in that wisdom, it enriches not only our own lives, but the lives of those around us.

Just as people came to Joseph during the famine, today, we can come to Jesus in our time of need. He is our heavenly Joseph—the One who holds the keys to every storehouse of wisdom.

2. Solomon—A picture of wisdom that draws the nations

If Joseph is a picture of our Lord Jesus in His suffering and exaltation, Solomon reflects our Lord Jesus in His glorious kingship—full of peace, abundance, and divine wisdom.

• Solomon was renowned for his wisdom—Jesus is “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24).
• Solomon possessed great wealth—in Christ are “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
• Solomon reigned in peace—Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).

“So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year.”
—1 Kings 10:23–25 NKJV

People didn’t come to Solomon empty-handed. They came from every nation bearing gifts—garments, refined silver and gold, fragrant spices, crafted armor, and strong animals. These weren’t raw materials but finished products, symbolizing the finished work of our Lord Jesus.

But here’s the difference: in Solomon’s day, people brought their best to the king. Today, we come to the King who has already given us His best. We don’t have to earn, strive, or impress; we can simply receive what He has already accomplished on our behalf!

And something beautiful happens as we do. When we draw near to receive His wisdom and rest in His finished work, the gifts that He has placed within us begin to flow. Not because we’re striving to perform, but because we’re abiding in Him.

Jesus—the person of wisdom

Many of us know Jesus as our Lord, Shepherd, and Savior—and He is all of that. But He is also wisdom personified.

In His love, God chose to place all wisdom in His Son, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). This means wisdom is not something we carry within ourselves. It is not resident in us, but in Christ.

And the treasures of wisdom aren’t hidden from us to keep us at a distance—they’re hidden in Christ for us, so that we would draw near.

Picture a loving father whose child is living abroad. Rather than supplying a full year’s worth of allowance upfront, he chooses to release it month by month—not to withhold provision, but to stay in touch with his child.

In the same way, God’s heart has always been for intimacy and communion. He knows that if He gave us all the wisdom we’d ever need at once, we would stop coming to Him! That’s why He doesn’t simply drop wisdom into our laps and send us on our way. Instead, He supplies us with wisdom day by day, moment by moment, as we walk in dependence with our Lord Jesus—the One who is wisdom Himself.

Hold fast to Jesus, the source of our every supply

The Bible calls Jesus the Head of the body, and we are each members of that body. This means that our wisdom, strength, and direction do not come from within ourselves—they flow from Him. Just as our physical bodies receive every signal and direction from the brain, we receive everything we need from our Lord Jesus.

“...holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.”
—Colossians 2:19 NKJV

When someone loses connection to the brain—through injury or trauma—their body may stop responding. They can touch something hot and feel nothing. In the same way, when we’re not holding fast to our Lord Jesus, we lose sensitivity to His leading. But when we stay connected, we begin to recognize His promptings—what to say, when to act, which way to go. His wisdom starts to flow.

So, how do we hold fast to our Head? We look to our Lord Jesus.

Jesus Himself showed us what it looks like to live in constant connection with His Head—our heavenly Father. Though fully God, He walked the earth in complete dependence on the Father. When faced with a hungry crowd and limited resources, He didn’t fix His eyes on the lack. Instead, He looked up to heaven and gave thanks (Mark 6:41 NET).

This miracle—the only one recorded in all four Gospels—shows us how abundance flows when we look to our Source. Jesus didn’t dwell on what was missing. He trusted the Father, who was already supplying.

In the same way, we hold fast to our Head by turning our eyes to our Lord Jesus and giving thanks. If you need wisdom, thank Him for it. If you feel weak, receive His strength! The supply we need is already flowing from the Head down to every part of His body.

Beloved, throughout this week, keep looking to Jesus as your source of wisdom and every good thing. Go to Him for whatever it is that you need—whether it’s peace, clarity, joy, or strength. As you hold fast to Him, may you find that He is more than enough in every situation.

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These sermon notes were taken by volunteers during the service. They are not a verbatim representation of the sermon.