Faith Moves Mountains; Wisdom Protects And Guides. Be A Patriot
Ecclesiastes 9:14-15
NIV
[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.
Growing up I heard much said concerning patriotism and how we should love and serve our country. During the Young Pioneer Movement days of Nkrumah, we the members of were taught this virtue -to love and serve the nation.
A pledge was composed which was recited at every meeting of the Movement. Later over time, the Young Pioneer Movement spread to include schools and every child became a member. It first began with a select few.
A part of what we recited at our parades called the Code reads, “protection of state property, reliability and secrecy, comradeship and forbearance “ etc. It starts with the words “ I solemnly pledge to be faithful and loyal to the ideas ( ideals) of the founder of the nation, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah etc. etc.
So, patriotism was woven into our moral conscience from the Word go, but for the coup of 1966, Ghana would have been a haven of patriots. Nation-building was the goal, and it was nearly achieved.
The above scriptures talk about an incident that according to Solomon was amazing, a city was saved by the wisdom of a poor man. A patriot you may call him. According to “ Uncle “ Solo he learnt two lessons that he will never forget, that is; the value and place of wisdom and patriotism, regardless of one’s economic status.
The city which was under siege was delivered through the wise advice this poor man gave. Something he did out of love for the city. Though we are not told what he said at least we know he was a man armed with ideas, know how etc.
Hear Solomon;
Ecclesiastes 9:16
NIV
[16] So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.”
These words seem to suggest that at the Town Hall meeting convened to discuss what to do; the majority were of the view that a “ boot for boot “ approach should be used.
When the wise poor man got up to speak, he was likely heckled by the rich majority This can be gleaned from what Solomon said; Read it
Ecclesiastes 9:17
NIV
[17] The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
It is a subtle way of saying that whereas “ the majority of rich fools” were screaming their naïve solutions, the poor man spoke his wisdom in a low tone!
Have you not seen or experienced this before? Surely you have. Meetings where “ empty barrels” get up to scream incoherent, naïve etc ideas wanting to be heard just because they have a few socio/economic advantages!
Wisdom has nothing to do with what you wear, how you appear, the car you drive, the food you eat, the house you own, or the bed you sleep on. It has got to do with the quality of the contents of your head-brain!
Your ability to think quality thoughts. Your ability to provide quality solutions to challenges, your ability to see what others can not see. Your ability to make sense of nonsense! Need I add more?
Wisdom is distilled knowledge, knowledge taken through the refinery of life. Tested and devoid of ambiguities and impurities of hazy, crooked thinking. Yes!
Wisdom does not belong to the rich nor the poor, it is not the monopoly of a group. Wisdom is wisdom whoever desires it receives it. It is a gift.
James 1
KJV
5+ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
The man in question was not wise because he was poor!
Poverty is a condition, a state, an economic and not a mental/intellectual deprivation! It is reversible.
Just as knowledge comes from books, so does wisdom come from God, every endowment has a source. There is divine wisdom and there is the secular they both have a part to play in human endeavours and are therefore necessary. Blessed is the man who possesses both, for he shall do wonders.
Because wisdom comes from God, He gives it to whomsoever He chooses, young or old, illiterate or literate, poor or rich, believer or non-believer etc; per what He wants accomplished!
Yes, Faith moves mountains, wisdom guides and protects we need both to be patriotic citizens of the kingdom of God, the Church of the Living God!
A thought to share