Wisdom Requested – Wisdom Granted
James 1: 2 – 5
My inventory of needs is likely as long or longer than yours. Right up near the top of that need list is “wisdom.” I need it and am smart enough to know it. Do you realize a need for wisdom? If you answered “yes” that likely means you have some problems. James, the inspired writer, might have opened chapter 1 with verse 5. However, he knew that before we would have a desire for wisdom, we had to recognize that we are confronted by trials too great for us alone. A realization of problems and trials brings about a recognition of a need for wisdom.
At a moment of such realization we can sing:
“When you are down and out
Lift up your head and shout – – –
“I’M DOWN AND OUT.”
In James 1: 2 the expression “count it all joy when you fall into various trials” is used. Trials are always unwanted, unexpected, and undesirable. You always look around to see if any one noticed, and there is always an audience. There is usually some buff who says something cute like, “Did you have a nice
trip? I’ll see you next fall.”
Jesus forewarned us, “In this world you are going to have tribulation…” We are slow learners and always seem surprised.
Because of the many problems and trials we have, the text states – – –
“IF any man lacks wisdom…” This doesn’t imply some don’t. The Greek first verb class condition means “If, and he does, lack wisdom…”
The Greek word for “wisdom” is SOPHIA and it means “broad and full intelligence.” It is a word for moral discernment that enables believers to live joyfully and victoriously in the face of trials. It is the capacity to apply Bible knowledge to a given situation. We all need it, but at no time more than when we are having problems.
This doesn’t mean that if you want to know how God is going to handle a situation, just ask. It means if you want to know how God wants you to handle it, ask Him. That statement has blood and muscle to it. Cut it and it bleeds.
Philemon, the Greek poet, describes God as “the lover of gifts.” This expression is used not in the sense of receiving gifts, but of giving them. God gives wisdom “liberally.” This adjective means the giving is “simple and single.” That is, He gives with a single motive. That is to benefit the asker.
“Without reproach” is rendered “without making you feel foolish” in other translations. Some translate it, He “doesn’t upbraid,” that means “without finding fault.” If our heart is right toward Him, He doesn’t hold past failures against us.
So go to your knees and ask Him.
He gives it and doesn’t make us feel foolish for asking.
New Year Assurance
Jesus wants to meet you in the inaugural days of this new year in order to guide, govern, and guard you all through it. That will make it a happy new year regardless of circumstances.
Our loving Lord stands with hand outstretched for you to put your hand in His and let Him guide you into the unknown.
Twelve months ago another new year was set before you. It has rolled into eternity and carried with it broken hearts, shattered dreams, personal losses, and unanticipated anguish. It is as much ancient history as 1892. It is too late to win victories where there were losses, to unsay unkind words, to show strength instead of weakness, and to be loyal to the Lord in times when you compromised.
However, here it is another new year. It is God’s way of saying, “OK now, we are going to keep doing this over until we get it right.”
There is something new and fresh about the inaugural days of another year. It is a time to review and resolve.
The words of Longfellow challenge us as we face a new year:
“Look not mournfully into the past; it comes not back again. Wisely improve on the present; it is yours.
Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear and with a manly spirit.”
That can only be done with Christ as guide.
The dawning of a new year causes most of us to think about our habits; good and bad.
We first make a habit and then the habit makes us.
The principal character in Og Mandino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World, said, “I will make good habits and become their slave.”
The choice is yours. We are creatures of habit. You can either be a slave to good or bad habits.
Resolve to make good habits; they are as difficult to break as bad ones.
Make habit number one the submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and all other habits will be governed by that superior habit. Habitually, that is daily, submit to Him as your Lord.
Moses in speaking to his followers shared insight with them, that
though spoken not to you, are applicable and relevant to you as you face the unknown awaiting in the new year. Learn them and live within the light they provide by which to see life in general as a spiritual conqueror.
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Then to affirm God’s guidance Moses virtually repeated the promise.
“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 3:18)
Happy New Year
The tradition of making a New Year’s resolution dates back 3000 years to the ancient Babylonians. Actually from nature’s perspective there is nothing mystically different between December 31 and January 1. The Bible doesn’t take note of new year’s resolutions, for or opposed to them. It is a good time to remember and resolve.
A good reason for making a resolution is the only thing that can enable you to keep it. Therefore, question yourself as to why you are going to make a certain resolution. In other words, question why you might resolve to read the Bible more or pray more.
Then pause to consider these facts regarding the events of your life.
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Apart from Him we can’t accomplish our resolutions, but…
“Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:5) Then you can know…
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
Remember this appeal made to ancient Israel. It is applicable today:
“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest; when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; …then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth …
“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…
“Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.” (Deuteronomy 8:11-19).
This gives cause for confidence and caution. Pause now, right now and think seriously about where you are in your spiritual life and what you need to do to improve it. Then commit yourself to Him. After doing so you are in a better position to have a . . . . HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Happy Times
What do you do during your happy times? You know, those times when things are going good, and you just feel happy. Go on, admit there are such times. However, remember this simple truth: You can’t be happy all the time. You may be under the mistaken impression everybody is happy but you. Unc-uh.
What do you do when something makes you happy?
Mark Twain (and a number of others) is credited with this suggestion.
“Dance like nobody is watching; love like you’ve never been hurt. Sing like nobody’s listening; live like it’s heaven on earth.”
“Work like you don’t need the money.”
Baseball great Satchel Page is credited with adding the latter.
Regularly, our lives are filled with all sorts of emotions including sadness, anger, emptiness, stress, anxiety, or even depression. Ever wonder how to put more focus on joy rather than letting those other emotions take over. Putting your trust in God is the first step. It opens us up to a life full of joy.
Jesus isn’t interested in making people happy. Instead He focuses on joy. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same. …
We are happy because something made us happy, but we are joyful because of something within us.
There are those moments when happiness comes — enjoy them. They don’t last. When a happy time passes, don’t look for artificial or material things for happiness, they will always fall short. To find full and lasting happiness, look to the God that created you. Oftentimes the things we use to satisfy us are only temporary fixes.
Instead, the Bible focuses on joy. To have a richer fuller life work on that enter core. Make it control central where Jesus is in control.
In the development of that core consider these Bible verses. Don’t just read them. Read them one at the time and ask yourself how you are going to apply it.
“Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” (Psalm 144:15)
“Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” (Romans 14:22)
“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;” (Proverbs 3:13)
“He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” (Proverbs 16:20)
“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. (Job 5:17)
Proper response can make you happy to the core. Thus you will be prepared for a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
A Moment of Spiritual Growth Assessment
Today, this very day, is an ideal day to willfully trust Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and in return receive His gift of eternal life. In the moment of doing so you can start a lifelong faith walk with Him. After doing so it is expedient to identify with the faith community for a spiritual support system. They have all done what you have done, asked for the forgiveness of their sins, so they can identify with you and will welcome you.
You who have embraced Jesus as Savior, this is a good time to take a spiritual inventory. Remember when the very citizenship of your soul changed kingdoms? Remember the pure, almost sacred, feeling you had when you embraced Jesus as Savior. The paradise of your first love is a state that needs to be cultivated and allowed to grow. The emotion may fade, but the relationship can and must be allowed to grow in intimacy. As we grow spiritually and feelings change, facts don’t.
Sensation must be stabilized by study.
Ecstasy must be embraced by experience.
Passion must be predicated on principles.
Persons don’t take giant steps out of close fellowship with the Lord. Their steps out of fellowship are most often small, almost unnoticed. Devotion often fades like a flower so slowly it is imperceptible.
Believers are exhorted in Revelation 2: 1 – 5 to remember their first love, their first and foremost love. This is an appeal to shake the ashes off your rusty altar and rekindle the fires of devotion. The passage gives an appeal to “remember,” indicating something had been forgotten.
The drift out of fellowship usually begins with a few slight indulgences that formerly would not have been tolerated. A casual brief venture into enemy territory may result in alienation from your first love.
In the early hours of this new year plan and designate a day when you will engage in spiritual renewal. If not a day, at least a time. Turn off the phone, put aside your high tech devices, and spend time alone with the Lord when you read Scripture, pray, meditate, and in general renew your commitment to the Lord. If your interest wanes in doing one of those things, switch to another. Many have the good fortune of family responsibilities, keep your family involved to the minimum.
Now, considering that not all people can have a day for a personal renewal retreat, try this. Be an Adam. Scripture speaks of God walking with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. (Genesis 3:8) To walk with them, did not mean literally, it simply means He had fellowship with them daily at a designated time. You, too, can designate a time to fellowship with the Lord. Say you don’t have time? Well, make time by setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier than normal.
Regardless of the time you devote to this exercise, the purpose is renewal or enhancement of your spiritual life. Thereby you will be preparing for whatever is ahead.
The uncertainty of this hour looms like a storm cloud on our personal and national horizon. Now is the time to prepare yourself for this uncharted journey. Get a grip on your faith in case circumstances shake your foundation.
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.