Hosea 14:9 - "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein."
Wisdom is one of the most needed things in life, more than money, food, clothing, and any other thing. The first lesson of wisdom is to repent of sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your soul - the One who made you is the only One who can save you from sin and sin's wages, death.
2 Timothy 3:15 - "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
It is the scriptures, the written Word of God, used by the divine author of the scriptures the Holy Spirit of God, which can make a person wise unto salvation by believing on the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ. This is why it is absolute necessary for true servants of God to "Preach the Word" (2 Tim. 4:2) - nothing else can do what God's Word does.
Wisdom is available to God's children. James 1:5 - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." God-called pastors need wisdom in order to feed the flock of God. Parents need wisdom in order to raise up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Husbands and wives need wisdom to be able to live together joyfully by the grace of God, serving God together. Grandparents need wisdom to have a God-pleasing influence with their grandchildren. There is no part of our lives that does not require wisdom, and the wisdom we need is the wisdom only God can give.
Have you sought this God-given wisdom by faith and prayer and meditation upon God's Word? Are you depending upon God as you work at your job, raise your children, and participate in your church?
Let me pose this example. Is it wise to fight fire with fire, or to fight fire with water? Does not the answer depend upon the circumstances of the fire being fought? A fireman fighting a raging wildfire that is burning down thousands of acres may start a backfire to remove the fuel that keeps the wildfire going. A homeowner burning a small brush pile in a firepit behind a house may be able to keep the fire from getting out of control simply using water from a garden hose.
In your parenting, do you know when to apply which fire-fighting technique? What about in your pastoring? What about in other areas of your Christian pilgrimage through this spiritually dark, evil world that is in the lap of the wicked one? God can give you wisdom, but He only gives to those who ask in faith. Or are you already too wise in yourself to need His wisdom?
The God who gave you your children knows how to help you raise them for His honor and glory, no matter their needs. The God who you say called you to preach knows how to lead you in the ministry according to His Word. The God who gave you your secular job knows how to help you be a Christ-like employee and honor Him in your employment. As the hymn writer wrote, "All things in Jesus I find."
Proverbs 3:5-8 - “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."
May God give us the wisdom we need today. May we look to Him every day until Jesus comes again. Amen.
