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.
