DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Wisdom Selections A (1/28) Third Reading, Vespers, Recovery of
Relics John Chrysostom
By Grace: from Wisdom Selections A: WSol 8:7-9:14, especially vs. 9:4: “Give me the wisdom that sits by Your throne, and do not reject me from among Your
servants....” Since the
Church knows Christ as the Wisdom of God from Apostolic times (1 Cor. 1:23,
24), a most instructive exercise is to read these verses, substituting the word
Christ for wisdom.
Yes, you do have to change the pronouns and make other small
adjustments, as in WSol. 8:21 - Christ is God’s
gift to each of us; and in vs. 9:10, change the preposition with to read
within. What a righteous
portrait!
It is also possible to amend the passage in
another, related way: substitute the word The Saints for wisdom;
for the blessed ones certainly teach us “...self-control, discernment,
righteousness, and courage...”(vs. 8:7). Again, you have to make certain changes
in the wording, but what an eye-opener!
Taking this sort of substitution one step further, you may find in these
verses a sketch of what God is calling you to become. Solomon guides us toward Sainthood. A quick way to grasp this sort of
substitution is to use the word grace instead of wisdom, for by grace,
God gives “...good counsel and encouragement in cares and sorrows”
(vs. 8:9) - no doubt!
Use the phrase, “By His grace,
God...” with a verse such as (vs. 8:8): by His grace God “...teaches
self-control....” It helps in
approaching many of these verses.
What is there of things of old and of the things to come
(vs. 8) that God does not know?
Yet, by His grace, through Scripture and the Holy Fathers, God surely
reveals much of we need to know urgently from the past and from
events yet to come. Why, except
that I know I am capable of betrayal, do I declare, “...neither will I
give Thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief will I confess
Thee...”?
“...I would not be self-controlled
except God gives me...” the grace of discernment to know that
whatever restraint from evil is in me is His gift (vs. 8:21). Absolutely, I entreat the Lord and
beseech Him with all my heart, and say, “O God of our fathers and the
Lord of mercy Who made all things by Your word (vs.
9:1)...give me the...” grace that comes from Christ Who sits on Your
throne (vs. 9:4), “...and do not reject me from among your
servants” (vs. 9:4)!
Consider it all joy, Beloved to Christ, that
He allows each one of us to be His servant (vs. 9:5). What a gracious act on His part that He
moves our hearts to submit ourselves to Him, to be His servants: “Do you
unite yourself unto Christ?”
The grace of God enables me to keep saying, “I do.” The grace of God gives me the resolve to
meet slurs, doubts, and questionings with renewed conviction and mean it when I
say, “I believe in Him as King and God.” By the Grace of God I remain -
imperfect but still - a servant to Christ my King and my God.
How else am I able to labor for Christ, to be
well-pleasing to Him even a little except by His grace (9:10)? I falter; I fudge; I fall asleep; I am
really quite unprofitable as a servant.
Yet in my poorest efforts, by the grace of God, I find small efforts are
blessed, fruitful, and productive - yes, even a blessing to those who need
them. How are such efforts turned
from mediocre to good? The grace of
Lord guides me wisely in my actions and guards me with glory (vs.
9:13). There is no other
explanation. To God “...be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Gal. 1:5).
Yes, it is wise to confess, even as great
Solomon does in all his wisdom, that “...the reasoning of mortals is
cowardly, and our intents are unsafe...” (WSol.
9:14). Were it not for the good
will of God, His amazing grace, His enabling gift “...what man [would]
know the counsel of God? Or who
[would] think about what the Lord wills?” (vs. 13). Count it a blessing!
May God give us His grace to pray always: “O
God of our fathers and the Lord of mercy Who made all
things, by Your good favor (vs. 9:1), Give me the grace of Christ Who sits with
You, “...and do not reject me from among Your servants...” (vs. 9:4).
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