Week 68: Wisdom - Ask for it!

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5ESV)

Wit…

"Integrity and wisdom: These are the keys to business success," the old man was telling his son.
"By integrity, I mean that when you promise the delivery of merchandise on a certain day you must do so even if it bankrupts you."

"Well," asked the son, "what is wisdom?"

"Don't make such promises."

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Its true when people say that a smart man knows what to say and a wise man knows whether to say it or not (Thus, if anyone in the world who need wisdom really bad is – Me!) But wisdom is more than saying the right thing for the right reason at the right time; it is, in the simplest words – skill for living. Do you need skill in living? Yes you do. Therefore, ask wisdom from God.

Wisdom…

“Wisdom applies God’s truth and principles to your daily relationships and situations,” Ronald A. Beers continue, “It helps you to know the difference between right and wrong, to choose what is right, and to avoid the problems that comes from wrong choices. Wisdom from God helps you to penetrate the deceptions and distortions the world throws at you.” In the Bible, there are 2 kind of wisdom; worldly wisdom and spiritual wisdom. Worldly wisdom will produce worldly results such as envy (selfish ambition), strife (self-seeking), boasting (self-glorifying) and deceit (lying); while spiritual wisdom will give spiritual results such as meekness, purity, peace, gentleness, compliance, mercy, good fruits, decisiveness and sincerity.  Spiritual wisdom is God’s wisdom, therefore ask wisdom from God.  

Get Wisdom…

We often confuse wisdom with intelligence. All of us know people who are very intelligent, perhaps almost geniuses, and yet who seemingly are unable to carry out the simplest of tasks of life. The worst is, they can run computers but they cannot manage their own lives! This is why Proverbs 4:7 say, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.” Wisdom enables us to put things together and relate God’s truth to daily life. In my case, it is not enough for me to study God’s Word, but I have to have wisdom to be able to practice it. Therefore in your study and work or in your daily living – ask wisdom from God.

Where to get Wisdom…

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom...” (Proverbs 9:10) John Gill comments, ‘no man is wise till he fears the Lord, and he that does so is a wise man’. But what does it mean by ‘fear of the Lord’? In simple language, it is learn to reverence God. J.I. Packer explained it this way: ‘Not till we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God’s holiness and sovereignty, acknowledge our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divide wisdom become ours.’ It is a sad thing when many of us do the opposite things and expect that God would grant us wisdom. Oh, fear the Lord and ask wisdom from Him!

The Word of God is also our wisdom. In Deuteronomy 4:5-6, “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments… Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations.” Again, the psalmist writes, “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me” (119:98). Do you want to know ‘the decease’ of our modern Christians today? We read newspaper early in the morning and filled our mind with world news all day long! We spend 3 minutes on one chapter (I’m trying to be generous here) of the Bible and hour upon hour on sport, entertainment and fashion news each day! No wonder we are smart, informative and brilliant but lack of wisdom. Oh ask for wisdom! Get wisdom from God’s Word for it is God’s free gift – ask wisdom from God!

Conclusion:

The Lord created the earth by his wisdom; by his knowledge he set the sky in place. His wisdom caused the rivers to flow and the clouds to give rain to the earth. Just observe the sky, the rivers and the clouds you’ll see that the creation was created by His Wisdom. Ask wisdom from God so that He will impart wisdom to us. Proverbs 2:3-6 say;

“Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight. Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. If you do, you will know what it means to fear the Lord and you will succeed in learning about God. It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding.”

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Ask for wisdom!

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References:

1)      Warren W. Wiersbe’s Be Mature: Chapter 8: Where to Get Wisdom

2)      J.I. Packer’s Knowing God: Part II, chapter 10: God’s Wisdom and Ours