WRITTEN BY TIM LABRECHE
Throughout the year, we have been looking at how God overflows into our lives. This month we’ll be looking at how our Savior pours his knowledge and wisdom into us. Looking into Scripture, when I think of knowledge Solomon immediately comes to mind. In the third chapter of 1 Kings, we read the following verses.
5At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.”
Solomon asked God for wisdom and was granted, in immense overflow and abundance, both wisdom and discernment. Solomon has been called by scriptures as the wisest man who ever lived. If you’ll notice, his wisdom wasn’t asked for and granted so that he could gain wealth and material possessions. He asked our Father for it so that he could lead his people well. Because of Solomon’s humble and unselfish heart, God blessed Solomon with wealth and honor as well.
I have a friend who I believe that God has also given wisdom and discernment in abundance. This person has shared with me before that they ask daily for what they need from our Heavenly Father, knowing full-well that they alone do not possess the wisdom needed to traverse what comes our way on a daily basis. Because of this continual state of asking for holy guidance, I have seen amazing things happen in their marriage, family and in their work life as well.
In Philippians 1:9-10, Paul wrote to the church in Philippi the following words:
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…”
Paul understood the same thing about wisdom. That it is a gift granted by our Heavenly Father to be given for heavenly purposes, not selfish gain.
What about you? Would you, or those you lead, benefit from a daily infusion of wisdom from the Holy Spirit? All you have to do is ask. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
When asking, consider these things:
Wisdom Brings Us Closer to our Savior (Ephesians 1:17) When we continually ask for wisdom from our Father, as He bestows it we continually grow closer to our Father in Heaven. It’s a continual cycle that strengthens our bond with our Savior.
Live a Genuine God-Fearing Life. (Micah 6:9, Psalm 111:10) When you live a God-fearing life, you obey Him and His Word, regardless of the allure and temporary pleasure of the temptation you face. That is wisdom.
