WisdomJames 1
From the heart of
the pastor:
“But if
any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who
gives to all men generously and without
reproach, and it will be given to him” (Js.
1:5).
Do you know anyone not lacking in wisdom? Only a
fool believes he is the repository of all wisdom.
Even Solomon knew he needed wisdom in order to rule
the kingdom of Israel.
God gave Solomon permission to ask for anything he
wanted from God. Solomon asked for wisdom saying,
“I am but a little child; I do not know how to go
out or come in… So give Thy servant an understanding
heart to judge Thy people to discern between good
and evil” (I Ki. 3:7,9). God answered the prayer of
His servant and “gave Solomon wisdom and very great
discernment and breadth of mind” (I Ki. 4:29).
Wisdom is precious because it is so scarce.
Scripture is man’s wisdom-ebenezer. Wisdom is
seeing what others fail to see. It is the
application of the mind of Christ to practical
living. Jesus told His disciples that He would give
them “wisdom which none of your opponents will be
able to resist or refute” (Lk. 21:15).
Wisdom is defined by its characteristics. God says,
“The wisdom from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and
good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (Js.
3:17). These seven temperaments distinguish godly
wisdom from earthly wisdom.
God graciously commands you to ask for His eternal
wisdom. He is a generous God giving liberally in
response to your request. Your God is intimately
interested in your affairs.
Some Christians are embarrassed to ask God again for
wisdom because when they have asked in the past, and
the wisdom has been given, they refused to act in
accordance with heavenly wisdom. Well, God is not
like you. He gives you fresh wisdom without
reproach.
God never says, “I told you so.” You must not allow
your past unwillingness to follow God’s wisdom keep
you from seeking new wisdom for your present
situation. Your God has commanded you to
“ask…seek…knock” (Mt. 7:7). Other than total trust
in Him, God does not place conditions upon His gift
of wisdom.
God says, “If you seek her as silver, and search for
her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern
the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of
God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come
knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound
wisdom for the upright” (Prov. 2:4-7).
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