Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wisdom for the day
I have been reading the book of James lately and I have been struck with how practical this book is for a day to day life. In it there is instruction for how we handle trials, applying God’s word and not just hearing it, showing partiality to people, showing our faith with our works, the untamable tongue, pride, humility, judging others, boasting, and patience in perseverance. There is much more but I am having trouble doing what I already know to be true about these instructions. I know the book of James reasonably well. What I lack is the ability to apply these things so that they make a difference in my life leading me to joy on this path I walk everyday. In fact James says in 4:17 “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
Solomon was told by God at the beginning of his reign as king that he could ask for whatever he wanted! Wow, that almost sounds too good to be true. My mind already pictures the kind of things I would be asking but, to get back to the point, Solomon asked for discernment so that he would be able to judge God’s people. In other words, he asked for wisdom.
When I am faced with decisions that seem very daunting, I usually will pray about these things. I confess it would be wonderful if God would just write the answer on the palace wall the way he did for Nebuchadnezzar. However, instead I need to pray and wait.
James tells us in 1:5 “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.” This is interesting. Those of us who have spent a reasonable amount of time in the bible can “spout” verses that have to do with prayer. But in this verse I truly see that we are to ask for wisdom. I believe that when we ask for wisdom we are asking God to show us how to pray about the issues in trials and hard decisions.
I confess for the most part I fail to ask for wisdom in my prayers. In reading the first chapter of James you see this verse coming on the heels of various trials that he says will produce patience.
I know that prayer can be joyous but sometimes very difficult and very confusing. Yet, when the Lord has given us the guideline to walk and we fail to do so, we cannot say “God doesn’t answer my prayers”. Perhaps wisdom is what we are lacking. His wisdom - wisdom that He gives to all liberally.
Solomon was told by God at the beginning of his reign as king that he could ask for whatever he wanted! Wow, that almost sounds too good to be true. My mind already pictures the kind of things I would be asking but, to get back to the point, Solomon asked for discernment so that he would be able to judge God’s people. In other words, he asked for wisdom.
When I am faced with decisions that seem very daunting, I usually will pray about these things. I confess it would be wonderful if God would just write the answer on the palace wall the way he did for Nebuchadnezzar. However, instead I need to pray and wait.
James tells us in 1:5 “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.” This is interesting. Those of us who have spent a reasonable amount of time in the bible can “spout” verses that have to do with prayer. But in this verse I truly see that we are to ask for wisdom. I believe that when we ask for wisdom we are asking God to show us how to pray about the issues in trials and hard decisions.
I confess for the most part I fail to ask for wisdom in my prayers. In reading the first chapter of James you see this verse coming on the heels of various trials that he says will produce patience.
I know that prayer can be joyous but sometimes very difficult and very confusing. Yet, when the Lord has given us the guideline to walk and we fail to do so, we cannot say “God doesn’t answer my prayers”. Perhaps wisdom is what we are lacking. His wisdom - wisdom that He gives to all liberally.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
