Ask God for Wisdom

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:5-8, NIV)

Webster defines wisdom as "the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships; insight; good sense; judgment." It denotes the capacity to understand something and to act upon that understanding. Paul urged: "Look carefully, the, how you walk, not as unwise but as wise" (Ephesians 5:15). The Psalmist declares "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10) and this declaration is reiterated in Proverbs 1:7. And again in Proverbs 8 wisdom is valued highly. God acted in wisdom in creation and wisdom is a gift He wants to bestow on His creation made in His image: "For wisdom is more precious that rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." (Proverbs 8:11).

James got right to the point. "If you lack wisdom...ask God...and it will be given." But the asking has requirements: "ask, believing that you will receive." Wisdom is a gift from God as seen in Ephesians 1:17-18. Human wisdom based on our experience is not alone sufficient to meet life's storms. Wisdom provides the necessary discernment to weather the storms. And when we ask God, believing, we will receive the wisdom (discernment and judgment) we need. Wisdom also differs from knowledge. We can gain much knowledge, accumulate it from various fields of learning as we study and seek. Wisdom, on the other hand, helps us do the right thing as we face moral dilemmas and deal with other challenges of life. James further describes God's wisdom in 3:17: "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (NIV) God promises the wisdom we need to face the dilemmas and decisions that come our way. How is my praying for wisdom? Do I seek God's guidance in the decisions and affairs of life? Am I troubled and undecided? Simply pray for wisdom, believing. God wants to grant us the gift of wisdom and He stands ready to pour it out on humble hearts that seek discernment. We don't need to be storm-tossed and double-minded in life. God's wisdom can give us instead a solid anchor and a clear mind, one imbued with His wisdom.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, October 10, 2010

Wisdom’s Credentials ~ From Everlasting

“The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old. I [Wisdom] was inaugurated and ordained from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth existed…Then I [Wisdom] was beside Him as a master and director of the work; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always, Rejoicing in His inhabited earth and delighting in the sons of men. Now, therefore listen to me, O you sons; for blessed—happy, fortunate [to be envied]—are those who keep my ways.” (Proverbs 8:22-22, 30-32, The Amplified Bible). [Read Proverbs 8]

Wisdom again personified in Chapter 8 of Proverbs is presented as from everlasting, present with God in Creation from the foundation of the world. The poetic and powerful account of wisdom’s place in God’s Kingdom and His plan for the created order, the crowning creation which is mankind, is ably stated in Proverbs 8. The whole account of Wisdom’s place and being present with God looks forward to Christ’s identification of Himself in John 1:1: “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word [Christ] and the Word was God, and the Word was God Himself.” (Amplified Bible).

Wisdom is worthy to be sought for God exercised wisdom from the beginning. Wisdom is an eternal aspect of God’s being and underlies all elements of creation. Wisdom was present and active in how God put everything together so that the natural world can sustain life. We who live and move and have our being in the world where God placed us are therefore to follow Wisdom’s ways to keep the right balance and perspective. God wants to teach us His ways (Wisdom) through every experience of our life. Even in Proverbs, God is preparing the way for the deeper and more personal introduction of Wisdom: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14a). We should stand amazed that the very wisdom of God, operable from everlasting to everlasting, is a gift from the Creator to us. We have the power to think, to reason, to accept truth, to absorb and apply wisdom. Is it any wonder, then, that God put within us the desire to seek wisdom and delight and rejoice in it? We are made in His image, and wisdom is a part of Who He is. Personified and seeking to be the companion to any who are serious about finding Wisdom, the Person Wisdom in this section of Proverbs ends with the strong invitation: “Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me [Wisdom], watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway, For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 8:33-35, NIV).

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, July 6, 2010