DO YOU NEED WISDOM IN YOUR LIFE?

As a young man growing up I was often taken with the prayer of Solomon for great wisdom.  It became part of my own prayer journey as I was growing up and continues to be a daily prayer that I come to God asking for wisdom.

Not only did Solomon pray for wisdom but was granted a great wisdom that marveled all who were around him.

Recently a survey was done with a group of kids. This is how they responded to the question, “What do you think wisdom is?”

Rocky, age 9, said, “Wisdom is wearing a hat when feeding seagulls.”

9-year-old Carol commented, “Never ask for anything that costs more than $5 when your parents are doing taxes.”

Nicholas, age 11, spoke from experience: “Never bug a pregnant mom.”

Kelly, age 10, has learned the dinner drill: “Don’t ever be too full for dessert.”

And, Heather, a seasoned teenager said, “When your dad is mad and asks you, ‘Do I look stupid?’ don’t answer him.”

The Bible is full of wise sayings. One of my favorites is found in Proverbs 26:17: “Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.”

It sounds like he learned that lesson the hard way! While we can benefit from some of the wisdom that whirls around us, to be truly wise we need the wisdom that comes from above.

James 3:17: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

When God asked Solomon what it was that he wanted - he could of asked for anything but he only asked for wisdom.

Now, O  Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours? 1 Kings 3:7‭-‬9 NLT

The phrase “understanding heart” can be translated, “a hearing heart.” Solomon wanted a heart that hears from the Holy One so that he would have the ability to see issues clearly and distinguish between right and wrong. In short, he wanted wisdom.

Let me ask you, when’s the last time you asked God for wisdom? James 1:5 says that all we need to do is request it and God will supply it: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

When Solomon’s request rises up to heaven, he receives two responses:

God is pleased. Notice verse 10: “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.” The Message offers this paraphrase: “God, the Master, was delighted with Solomon’s response.” If you want to make God happy, ask Him for wisdom.

God provides. In verses 11-15, God tells Solomon that He will grant him “a wise and discerning heart.” Turn over to 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.”

And because His heart was right in asking for that which pleased God, Solomon was given wisdom and much more than he dreamed of: riches, honor, and the possibility of a long life.

That reminds me of Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” This is a wonderful example of what happens when we put God’s purposes first as Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

There is hardly a day that goes by that I don’t ask God for wisdom.  I know that I’m in over my head on most things that I do. I am constantly calling out for God to give me wisdom from on high to help me with today.

You might be facing impossible odds today.  God is waiting for you to ask Him for wisdom.  You might be facing tough decisions that need to be made.  God to God and ask for His strength and for His help.

The Bible is clear that the way to wisdom is to first fear God. Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

We must honor Him for who He is and surrender to His supremacy.  He is God and I am not.

There’s another way to find wisdom and that’s to focus on Jesus.

Colossians 2:3: “…That they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

The command, “Get wisdom” ultimately means, “Come to Jesus.”

Take some time right now to reaffirm your fear of God, determine to focus on Christ, and ask Him for wisdom every day.

Proverbs 3:13 says, “Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gets understanding.”NLT