Wisdom

“Don’t copy the behavior or values of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” Romans 12:2 NLT

"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm"  Proverbs 13:20

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart”  Psalm 40:8 NIV

"He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” Psalm 23:3 NIV




         Do you consider yourself wise?  I don't consider myself 'wise', but I'm definitely wiser now than in my youth.  Hopefully, I am gaining wisdom daily through bible studies, experiences, listening to God in prayer, and from others in my close circle.

         Would you be wise enough today to ask for wisdom from God, like Solomon did?  1 Kings 3:5  "At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  Solomon first recognized and acknowledged God's faithfulness in the past and present circumstances.  1 Kings 3:6  "Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day."  Solomon then humbled himself and recognized his need for help, guidance, and direction in the great task set for him.  1 Kings 3:7-9  “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.  Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.  So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”  When we seek God for help in all things and think of others before ourselves, it pleases Him.  1 Kings 3:10-14 "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.  So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,  I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.  Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.  And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

        In Proverbs 1:7, we learn from Solomon "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."  Knowledge or wisdom is living out what we know.  We do not always do what we know to be best or right, but we are wise when we do.  Wisdom is the 'fear' of the lord..not reverence or respect, but terror, dread, afraid of.  Most people don't recognize how powerful and mighty God is. "God is the only rock on which we may rest safe in times of danger. Trusting in him brings peace in every circumstance." [Richard Sibbes]  

         Wisdom begins w/fear, but thankfully does not end there.  Jesus came to end the fear by cleansing believers of their sin debt.  1 John 4:9-10  "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."  1 John 4:16-18  "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidenceon the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

         "Jesus drove out the fear---a loving god pursuing an unfaithful people, loving them despite their sin, loving them to the point of death on a cross."

          How can we put our trust in God, if we do not know who He is?  Just like an adopted child doesn't know who the new parent is, what they have in store for them, how they will feed and care for them... the same is true for putting our trust in God.  The more we know of and see His faithfulness to us, the more we can learn to rely on Him and not ourselves.

         Doubt in God comes from the enemy, Satan.   What we wonder about Jesus _____? Does God love me?  Does God want this for me?  What purpose does God have for me?  etc. 

         "God has given us a roadmap: the Bible. God has given us a compass: our conscience. God has also given us a personal guidance counselor: the Holy Spirit. Clearly, God wants to lead us in the paths of righteousness. This is important to understand, because God never intended for you to figure out the steps of your journey without him."  " The Good Shepherd doesn’t just feed us. He leads us. He doesn’t just correct us. He directs us."

  
We are wise, when we seek and follow God's voice in scripture.
We are wise, when we know God better each day.
We are wise, when we humble ourselves to His mighty and powerful name and ways.