www.truthworks.com                 08 March 06                 devotion archive

Wise Guys

I tell you the Truth,

James 1:
5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But 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. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Don’t you love the simplicity of this message?  If you lack wisdom, just ask for it, don’t doubt and you’ll receive it!  Easy as 1, 2, 3!  So go ahead.  Ask for it!  Hey, it worked for Solomon:

1 Kings 4:
29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.

Wow!  I think we’re really on to something here!

Or are we?  I mean, if it’s that easy to just ask, then why aren’t we surrounded by wise guys?  Why wouldn’t every Christian who’s ever read that scripture just ask and become extremely wise?

Well, I believe there are a couple reasons.  First of all, no matter what you pray for, no matter what you ask for, God desires to give it for one reason – that it might glorify Him.  When we seek anything from God with selfish motives (including wisdom), trouble is just around the corner:

Genesis 3:
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

This is the first reference of the word “wisdom” in the Bible.  While Eve makes the mistake of disobeying God, the root of her problem was selfish ambition.  There is a huge difference in desiring godly wisdom and desiring earthly wisdom.

Like Eve, we easily fall prey to the selfish attitude in desiring things, whether it’s wisdom, possessions or simply ambition.

Let’s go back to James, chapter 1 and find the reason we really need godly wisdom.

James 1:
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Many years ago, I read that same scripture and believed that God desired to give me wisdom, so I prayed just as James suggested.  And to be honest, nothing happened.  Well, perhaps I should rephrase that statement.  I didn’t feel any wiser after praying that prayer.  But plenty happened.

In the years following that prayer, I faced more trials than I had ever faced in all my life.  Stressful situations just seemed to pop up one after another.  Family illness, thieves and being overloaded and over burdened with life’s cares stretched my faith, my mind and my heart.

But the promises of God are faithful.  Not only did He bring me through the valleys and hard times, but something else occurred each time another trial raised its ugly head.  A truth would be learned and wisdom would result.

Am I smarter?  Is every decision I make perfect?  Do I now have all the answers?  No, no and no.

But I am wiser for the experience.  I am better equipped to handle the world, which makes me better equipped to do His work, which makes me more useful to Him and His will.

Wisdom is desirable.  Seek it, but seek it for only one reason – to glorify the One who supplies every need.

Your Servant,

Randy Hunt
randy@truthworks.com
2TIM 1:7

MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/truthworks

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