Albert Einstein was heard to say, “Only two things are infinite, the
universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” Sadly, it
does seem that far too often there is no limit to the foolishness we get
ourselves into—or the damage we create by our foolishness and the choices it
fosters.
It was in such a season of regret that David poured out his struggle and
complaint to God in Psalm 38. As he recounted his own failings, as well as the
painful consequences he was enduring because of those failings, the
shepherd-king made an insightful comment: “My wounds are foul and festering
because of my foolishness” (v.5). Although the psalmist does not give us the
details of those choices or of his worsening wounds, one thing is clear—David
recognized his own foolishness as their root cause.
The answer for such destructive foolishness is to embrace the wisdom of
God. Proverbs 9:10 reminds us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Only by allowing
God to transform us can we overcome the foolish decisions that cause so much
trouble. With His loving guidance, we can follow the pathway of godly wisdom.