James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
There are many things for which we could petition the Lord, but wisdom is one of the greatest. When Solomon was king, he asked for wisdom and God was greatly pleased with him:
1 Kings 3: 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days."
Notice how in asking for wisdom, Solomon received even more than what he asked for. Notice also the reason Solomon asked for wisdom. It was not so that he can be a magnificent scholar or brainiac to impress others or to gain wealth, although the Bible does tell us that people from many different lands came to hear him speak; Solomon wanted wisdom because, as king, he recognized the necessity of being able to discern fair law and order with the people over whom he'd been placed in authority. In other words, it was a very practical spiritual gift.
Do we not all find ourselves in one way or another in leadership positions in our lives that require us to exercise wisdom? At our jobs, with our children and partners, our roles in the church, and simply being a member of a community, we could all use the gift of discernment and the ability to speak and act wisely. This is especially important considering we are called to witness to others.
If you do not feel wise enough to witness, to lead, or to make a decision, we are told that we can ask God for it, and not only will He give it to us, but He does so GENEROUSLY. Indeed, this may mean that you will receive more than what you asked for, like Solomon. (Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.)
It is certainly worth mentioning the next couple verses in this passage in James:
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
There is the necessity to BELIEVE that we will receive it. Faith is the key to obtaining God's gifts. Though God is capable of giving anything at any time, if we are "double-minded", as it was so aptly put, we will not trust that what we have received is wise, is coming from God. (Hebrews 11:6 also tells that without faith it is impossible to please God.) Imagine if Solomon felt "tossed about by the wind" when he had to make his decisions! Approach the throne humbly...but approach you must.
Wisdom is not the same as human intelligence, and it supersedes human ignorance. Solomon asked for an understanding mind, so that he may discern what is good and what is evil, which is not the same as the knowledge of good and evil with which the serpent tempted Eve. Eve sought this kind of knowledge by and for herself; Solomon asked God directly for understanding, after God gave him a choice in the first place. The kind of understanding Solomon received was the Holy Spirit inside; THAT is the wisdom you receive. It is as if God has placed a compass in your heart. You will be directed toward what is good and wise, not because you are a scholar of all things, but because you have Christ's Light inside of you.
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