“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.” [James 1:5]
I always smile when I read this verse. “IF” anyone lacks wisdom? We all know a lot of smart, talented people, but I never met anyone who was completely wise in every aspect of life. In other words, we all come up short on the 100% wisdom chart. So James instructs us to …ask God, who gives generously…”
How does one go about asking God? First, one could pray that God gives you more wisdom. I know that I do that a lot, particularly when it comes to these emails or whenever I speak in church.
Another sure-fired way to become more wise is to read the Bible. There are hundreds of self-help books on the market, and some may even be useful, but none can compare to the Word of God. Should I inform my life by the word of some psychologist, or by God’s Word? And you don’t have to be among the simple-minded to ask for wisdom:
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” [Daniel 2:21c,d]
Solomon asked God for wisdom, and received it:
“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? I (God) 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. [I Kings 3:9,12]
Most of us ask God for all kinds of things, like good health, long life, and so on. Perhaps we should first ask for wisdom:
You do not have, because you do not ask God.” [James 4:2e]
In my humble opinion, asking God for, and obtaining, wisdom is a blessing we should all ask for in these uncertain times:
“Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding.”[Proverbs 3:13]