In the first chapter of the book of Daniel, three others along with Daniel were handpicked to serve the king. In the midst of the description of the relationship of these four young guys and the king the following verse appears.
[Dan 1:17 ESV] "As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom"
I find it particularly interesting that it says that "God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom." This is seen time after time in Scripture. There is some complex relationship between God's sovereignty and personal responsibility that is indiscernable. They obviously read because it says that God gave them skill in all literature. Yet somehow God also provided the learning, and understanding, that they received.
We also see this in the New Testament. In 2 Timothy 2:7 Paul writes, "Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." Here again Paul says to think and yet God will give the understanding.
This is encouraging for all of us. No matter how smart you are or how fast you read, God will give wisdom and understanding. However, on the other side of the coin, intelligence alone does not provide this wisdom. That means if you are the most intelligent person you know, you will not understand without the wisdom imparted by God. Perhaps this is why Scripture says that there were some who were "always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. 3:7). Truth is imparted by God. Still that doesn't mean throw all of the books away. We are to read and think while we trust and remember that it is God who unlocks wisdom and gives understanding.
