God only wise

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. – Jude 1.24-25

‘To the only wise God our Saviour…’

It is to the only wise God and Saviour that we acknowledge glory and majesty and dominion and power for ever and ever.

But I like that little reminder that He is the only source of true wisdom. While men have sought for wisdom in all kinds of places all through history there is only one place to find wisdom – the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Earthly wisdom is based on the best that man can do. It is based on human logic and human reasoning.

There have been great pursuers of human wisdom. The ancient Greeks such as Aristotle and Plato and Socrates were great wisdom seekers. In the late 18th century the philosophes created a resurgence of wisdom seeking. This seeking of wisdom can bring human advances that benefit mankind.

But when it comes to eternity only God’s wisdom will work. Our life here is fleeting so we live for eternity and God is one who dwells in eternity. He is the only wise God. He is the only source of wisdom that will count for all eternity.

There is a great old hymn we hardly hear sung today that expresses the power of our ‘God only wise.’

Immortal, invisible, God only wise, 
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, 
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, 
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. 

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, 
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; 
thy justice like mountains high soaring above 
thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love. 

To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; 
in all life thou livest, the true life of all; 
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, 
and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee. 

Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light; 
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; 
all laud we would render: O help us to see 
'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.