Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity" (Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬, ‭5‬-‭7‬). 

In this passage, there is something valuable: wisdom. 

There is the one who should value this wisdom: the reader (you and I). 

And there is the one who has the power to give that wisdom to the reader: God.

How does one gain this wisdom from the Lord? Are there any conditions?

Yes.

This passage says, very explicitly, that there are two conditions to gaining wisdom from God:

1) You have to want it.

2) And you have to believe that it comes from God.

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There are a few reasons why we may not meet these conditions.

Some of us may think we already have wisdom and therefore don't need any more. We have degrees, or we read the books, or we have the experience. This is pride. And we are all susceptible to it. Some may boast in their formal education, and others may boast in how much they have achieved without formal education.

Others may meet the first condition (they want wisdom), but not the second condition (they can’t believe it come from God). So they look to self help gurus, political pundits, or whoever eise gives them a sense of security and validation in the way they are going. And let’s be honest, we can always find validation in whatever path we are charting. 

Finally, some want it, believe it comes from God, but are too busy or too distracted to cry out for it. I see my kids in this category. They don’t claim to know it all. They take criticism and are teachable. And they would say that wisdom comes from God. But the fire and passion to pursue God for it is lacking. They don't feel in over their heads enough to bring them to their knees. This may be the case for any of us who has become numb to all the busyness and stimulation around them. 

Which one are you most tempted by? Do you battle the pride of thinking you know best? Do you doubt God's ability to give you wisdom, and so you instead spend a lot of time chasing down other "experts?" Or are you simply too distracted by life to stop and pause and pray? 

What stops you from crying out for wisdom to the God who loves to grant it?