Wisdom, Requested and Received

 Wisdom, Requested and Received

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5

How often do we stand in need of wisdom!  We face situations constantly which challenge us because of their complexity, their potential to turn out successfully or disastrously, or because of the possible consequences far into future days.  If we tackle these situations in our own wisdom we are going to find ourselves very dissatisfied with the outcomes on many occasions.

The simple fact is that we do not have wisdom.  We lack the knowledge, insight, discernment and discretion to make consistently right decisions.  What is the resolution of this difficulty?  Our text for today offers to us the resolution of this thorny dilemma.  In any circumstance of life wherein we have need of wisdom, we have the privilege to ask for it from God in the confidence that He will happily bestow it upon us.

As we consider this text, let us think first upon the wisdom which we lack.  How can we know we are making the right decision?  We gather information, weigh up the pros and cons, try to estimate the consequences, and use all the intelligence we have to make a good choice; but at the end of it all, we can never be 100 percent certain that we have made the right one.  Therefore, we need wisdom which comes from someone who knows more than we do.  That is the person from whom we ask wisdom; and that person is Christ.  Take a few moments and cast an eye, please over the eighth chapter of Proverbs.  There we find Wisdom Personified speaking.  Can we not hear the very Voice of the Living Christ there?  In our pursuit of a consistent sight of Christ, we are pursuing Wisdom in a practical way.  To know Christ is to know Wisdom.  That paves the way for seeking wisdom in everyday decisions.

Our text exhorts us, “Ask of God.”  What an invaluable source.  What is most encouraging is that He is liberal in His giving to those who ask for this wisdom.  That He “give to to all men liberally and unbraideth not” ought to kindle our confidence into a roaring flame.  There is no question or reason for doubting here.  Rather, the close of the text declares unequivocally, “it shall be given him.”  Are you today faced with some perplexity which is causing you continual concern?  Heed the inspired words of James.  Ask for the wisdom which will ensure for you a right and joyful result.  Ask of God for that wisdom which He alone can bestow “and it shall be given.”

Our Wise and Giving Lord,

we pray that Thou wilt give us

the wisdom that comes from Thee alone.

Lead us in a plain path, we pray.

Where the Bush is Burning

Tomm Tice