“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…” James 1:5
Dear Ones:
It is not without significance that when Isaiah describes the Spirit of God “resting” on the Messiah, He speaks of Him as being the “Spirit of wisdom and understanding.” (Is. 11:2) Why? We need to keep in mind that every facet of this matter of God revealing Himself to man has for its objective that man should KNOW God, and make Him known. It is in the revelation of God as the God of Wisdom and Knowledge, that His call is for us to know Him as such. Why is the issue of wisdom and knowledge so very important?
In addressing His disciples one day, the Lord Jesus asked them: “Whom say men that I am?” When they had finished with their responses, He then turns to them to ask them, “And whom do YOU say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15) It is then that Peter declares: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v.16) Why is this line of questioning so very important? It is to help us understand that the knowledge of the truth, and consequent application of that truth, comes by revelation from God alone. This is what the Lord Jesus told Peter, “…flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (v.17) We are so very limited by what we see and hear, by what our sinful nature “wants” us to see and know, and by an enemy whose purpose it is to deceive, that we have but one recourse, if we are to see clearly, and understand the truth. Christ alone, by the Spirit, must be our teacher, the REVEALER of truth, giving us knowledge and wisdom, concerning Him, and how we then should live.
One of the characteristics of one who is led by the Spirit, and who is deliberately and specifically trusting God for wisdom, is that the Spirit of God will make him to be “…of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord.” (Is.11:3) Just as the Spirit of God quickens us to life in Christ, so He quickens us to the reverential consideration of issues as they are in the sight of God. There is the consequent refusal to trust in what one sees, or hears, choosing rather to live in utter dependence upon the Spirit of God, with the truth of the Word of God in hand and heart. To truly TRUST in God is to defer to Him, His wisdom and knowledge, in all things. But how does this wisdom practically become ours?
When Solomon succeeded David his father as King of Israel, God said to him, “Ask what I shall give thee.” (1 Kings 3:5) Solomon’s response was very clear and very discerning: “…I am but a child: I know not how to go out or come in…Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and bad.” (v.9) What will make Solomon a candidate for God’s answer to his prayer? First of all, we see that he is honest before God. “I am a child.” Secondly, we see that he is convinced of specific need…the need for a understanding heart. Lastly, we see that he has the humility to know where to go for the true, and only source of wisdom and knowledge…to God alone. The result was that God gave him more than he asked for, and blessed him for his request. Does He not desire, and will, to do the same for us, who come to Him in the same manner?
Dear Father, you who have made the Lord Jesus to be unto us WISDOM, give us understanding hearts that discern between right and wrong, so that, in all things, we shall show ourselves to be a reflection of Your mercy and truth. Give to us Thy Spirit in such measure, that we shall never be lacking in the wisdom to serve Thee, truly loving others for the Lord Jesus’ sake. We thank and praise Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad