Wisdom From Above

Bible Reading: James 1:1-8/Ps 119: 33-40

Just now, a new academic year has started.  And every child who has written an exam would have heard James 1:5 prayed over them.  "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." Here, James is not talking about wisdom to get high scores!  To understand what James means, we must see this verse's context!  James says that we must view trials and sufferings from the correct perspective when we walk through trials and sufferings.  If we cannot do that, we have to ask God for wisdom to get the right perspective.  If we have the proper perspective, our trials will produce patience, build character, and increase our faith.  If we do not have the appropriate perspective, we will be like Job's wife, blaming God for everything and sometimes even walking away from Him!  That is why James advises his readers to ask God for wisdom to get the correct perspective when we suffer.

What is wisdom according to the Bible?  Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge …" Job 28:28 says, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding".  Knowledge tends to focus on correct understanding of the world, while wisdom is applying that knowledge rightly.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom because the moral life begins with reverence and humility before our Maker and Redeemer.  Wisdom from above is not for getting marks or cracking exams.  It is to live in the right way as long as we are here.  We are called to ask God for wisdom to live life on planet Earth because how we live on earth matters to God.  The Psalmist teaches what we should ask God for in  Psalm 119:33-40.  He says we should ask God to teach us His statutes, give us the understanding to keep His law, make us walk in the path of His commandments, and incline our hearts to His testimonies.  Also, turn away our eyes from looking at worthless worldly things.  This is the wisdom needed to live our lives God's way!

My friend, God wants to make us worthy of heaven.  The trials we face and the tears we shed are meant to increase our faith and dependence on God.  That is why James wants us to count it all joy when we experience various trials.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank You for disciplining me and sanctifying me.  Give me the wisdom to have the correct perspective to understand Your love.  Amen.

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