Wisdom DOES!
This past week has been one of the most difficult weeks of my life. There were issues that appeared tragic and unstoppable—BUT for the intervention of God. I was in uncharted terrify-tory (hmm . . . that was a typo! But true!). And I desperately needed His wisdom from above.
God’s Word has been my lifelong friend and comforter—a place where I seek and receive not only nourishment and peace, but also an abundance of wisdom and understanding. I turned to my Bible and began to search out scriptures on wisdom.
Praying for Wisdom
Being old (!), one of the first scriptures to catch my eye was Job 12:12-13,16, “Wisdom is with aged men [and women], with long life is understanding.” Lord, let that be true! “With [God] belong counsel and understanding . . . with Him are strength and sound wisdom.” This echoes Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Lord, I come to you for sound wisdom, for counsel, for understanding.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3:5-7). Lord, I do not have the wisdom I need right now. I trust you with this painful situation. I have not walked this way before and do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you (2 Chron. 20:12).
James gives similar advice: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Boy do I ever lack wisdom and need it desperately. Lord, what do I say? What is going on really? What is your perspective? How do I live in my own pain? How can I help? My own heart was broken, my emotions numbed. Thank you, Lord that you give needed wisdom without any expression of disapproval or disappointment.
And that was when God gave me His wisdom, His revelation!
“But the wisdom from above is first
pure,
then peaceable,
gentle,
reasonable,
full of mercy
and good fruits,
unwavering,
without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)
Do you see this??? Wisdom is not information, insight, or knowledge—wisdom is action and character. I realized that even though I do not have all the answers—I can do this! Wisdom shows itself in my actions, not in my words!
A New Prayer
Now, according to James 3:17, I pray:
Lord, make me wise!
Give me a pure heart.
Give me your peace (in the midst of a chaotic situation).
Make me gentle, patient, fair, and considerate.
Make me reasonable, easy to be entreated, and kind.
Make me merciful—choosing always to extend compassion with a readiness to help those in trouble.
Make my life full of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).
Keep me strong, certain, and unwavering in my beliefs.
May all I do be done in sincerity of heart and without hypocrisy.
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior deeds done in the gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13).
Wisdom is living and acting according to the character of Jesus.
It is ALWAYS wise to imitate Jesus!