Greetings!

I just Googled wisdom and who knew there are “about 230,000,000 results for wisdom in 0.32 seconds”! From dictionary definitions to blogs to Psychology Today, the web is full of  information on wisdom. Everyone has an opinion. One article gives us the thirty-two key dimensions of critical thinking. You can find information on wisdom from many differing religious views, from scientific views, from the educational community and almost any view point you could possible hold. Can you imagine researching wisdom by this method? Suppose you are truly looking for wisdom in a particular situation. You could spend several lifetimes searching and never get through all of the information if you are depending of the web because more and more information is added daily. It was exhausting just reading a few of the things available.

I ask myself:

• Is this  wise use of my time?
• Did I learn anything beneficial?
• Was it worth the time I spent; effort in proportion to outcome?
• What percentage of my time was wasted?

James 1:5-6 “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

Most of us have times we are stumped and in desperate need of wisdom and often need it “yesterday”. The last resort many times even for believers is to ask God; to earnestly seek Him in prayer for the very thing we are standing in need of. Whether we think it is too small to bother God with,  that He is too far away, or that He has much bigger things to deal with; often we just do not seek His help. Sometimes we are just too self-sufficient, too stubborn or just lack the faith to take God at His Word. Yet James if very clear in it’s promise; God’s promise! Ask Him and do not doubt, when you lack wisdom. He gives generously (simply, openly, frankly, sincerely-Strong’s G574-BlueLetterBible); and without reproach or shame.

Solomon made the choice to ask for wisdom because of his young age, for understanding and the ability to discern between right and wrong in order to judge rightly when it came to God’s people.  (1 Kings 3)  Just as James promises us wisdom when we ask; God was pleased to grant Solomon’s request. in fact, God was so pleased that in addition He gave Solomon riches, glory and a long life and promised there would never be another among the kings like Solomon all of his days.(verses 10-16)  Then Solomon’s wisdom was tested…beginning in verse 16 conflict arose. Two women living in the same house, three days after one had given birth the other also gave birth. There were no others in the house to witness what happened next. One of the women’s son died during the night because she laid on it and she switched her baby for the other, leaving that lady to think it was her child that died. After closely looking at the baby, she realized that it was not her child but the baby of the first woman. The dispute was taken before the king for resolution. what came next though quite harsh sounding was actually quite genius and a great example of God giving Solomon discernment and wisdom. The king declared, “divide the child into and give each woman half!” all the while knowing that the true mother of the child would never agree to that arrangement but would rather give her child up altogether than to allow that child to be killed and divided between them. The mother who had lost her child had nothing more to loose and agreed with the King, the child should be divided. By this declaration, it became clear who the mother of the living child was and he was returned to her. Justice was served.

Depending on the translation there are at least two hundred and twelve different scriptures on wisdom throughout the Bible. That number increases if you include similar words like wise, understanding, learning, justice, insight,knowledge, reason, etc. Even so, it is no where near as overwhelming as 230,000,000 entries and you can bet the wisdom you find within the covers of the Bible will be much more helpful than what you find any other place.

That being said, here are a few more words of wisdom that I have uncovered today, I hope that they will bless you!

• Job 28:22-24   “Abaddon and Death say, ‘With our ears we have heard a report of it.’ “God understands its way, And He knows its place. “For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.”
• Job 28:26-28   “when He established a limit for the rain and a path for the lightning, He considered wisdom and evaluated it; He established it and examined it.”

• Job 28:28  “He said to mankind, “The fear of the Lord is this: wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.”

• Psalm 37: 29-31   “The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it permanently. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom; his tongue speaks what is just. The instruction of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter.”

•  Psalm 90: 11-12    ” Who understands the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear that is due You. Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. Lord—how long? Turn and have compassion on Your servants.”

•  Psalm 104:23-25  “Man goes out to his work and to his labor until evening. How countless are Your works, Lord!  In wisdom You have made them all;

  the earth is full of Your creatures. Here is the sea, vast and wide,
  teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.”

  Proverbs 2:1-9  “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,
   if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers. Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity—every good path. For wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will delight your heart.”

   May 2016 be a year of seeking true wisdom from above and may God’s goodness, mercy and grace be apparent all along the journey!