Wise Up
Today’s Verse:
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. ~James 1:5
Are you a wise person? Being wise is one of the highest pursuits of life. Being wise is the ability to make sound decisions. Being wise is learning from your mistakes, and not making the same mistake twice. Being wise is listening to the counsel of older and wiser people. Being wise is being a problem-solver. In our devotion this morning, let us see the importance of wisening up.
We see the fundamental of wisdom.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” 1:7. The starting point of spiritual wisdom is God Himself. The fear of the Lord refers to our reverence and worship of God. It is the recognition that God is to be preeminent in our lives. The wisest thing a man can do is to seek the Lord. It is seeking God first, and all His righteousness. It is the knowledge that the Lord is God. The fear of the Lord is realizing that He is God, and we are His creation. The fear of God is obtained from spending time in His Word, and allowing His Word to be the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path. The fundamental in wisdom is the fear of the Lord.
We see the fortress in wisdom.
Wisdom gives us protection from making bad decisions. Wisdom directs us in our pathway. Wisdom protects us from sinners who would entice us. With wisdom, we are able to discern right from wrong. Wisdom fortifies our conscience, and keeps it from becoming defiled and seared. Wisdom keeps us from associations that will take advantage of us. Prov. 2:10-22 instructs us on how wisdom protects us from evildoers, provocative temptations, and covetous allurements. Wisdom helps us to see good from evil, right from wrong, and light from darkness. Wisdom is the stop sign in the road that prevents us from a crash collision with sin.
We see the foresight in wisdom.
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished,” 22:3. With wisdom, we think and plan ahead. We think about the future and make proper plans. We think about the consequences of our decision, and do not allow ourselves to make a decision that will be costly. Planning ahead is a critical part of getting a vision for your life. Planning ahead is praying, “So, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom,” Ps. 90:12. The lack of foresight leaves us to be uninformed and naïve. Look ahead and plan ahead, and you will minimize the heartache from unforeseen happenings.
We see the Father of wisdom.
James teaches us that we should ask God for wisdom. Asking for wisdom requires humility. We must realize that our experiences and everything we have read do not make us wiser than God and His Word. God is the Father of lights, in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. When we ask for wisdom, God desires to give us a liberal and abounding provision of wisdom. God does not hold back the wisdom we need, as long as we ask in faith, nothing wavering. This means that we place our absolute trust on God, and do not devise a plan B. Asking for wisdom is submitting to God’s plan, and realizing that there is only plan A. If we lack in wisdom, it is because we are not praying for it. The first thing we should ask for each day is wisdom for our direction and decisions.
It is important that we wise up. “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it…I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me,” 8:11,17. Make the procurement of wisdom your priority this morning!
Have a prudent God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 19-21