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
One short verse, but so much truth here! Let’s unpack it together:
Humility
The verse begins, If any of you lacks wisdom. In order to receive, we must first acknowledge we lack it! A prideful heart resists asking for help. Self-sufficiency is a chief stumbling block to attaining wisdom.
Ask God
God is the source of wisdom. When we go looking elsewhere, true wisdom will elude us. At best, we will get a band-aid rather than a cure … at worse, we’ll be led astray to something that is not wisdom at all. If you need to know how often to change your oil, the best source of information is the manufacturer. We were created by God – He knows us best and loves us most.
God Gives Generously
I love finding “-ly” words in Scripture. Adverbs are powerful communicators; they provide deeper shades of meaning for us to glean understanding. Our great God does not just give, He gives generously. He is not stingy. He does not hoard. He never runs out. He delights when we come to Him.
God Gives to All
As a mom of four kids, I know the challenges of simultaneously meeting everyone’s needs. When my children were young, we instituted “Kid of the Week” to give everyone an opportunity to have special privileges like sitting in the front seat of the car or going out to breakfast with Daddy. In God’s Kingdom, we are all the “Kid of the Week” — every single day. Our God is powerful enough to hear the mother in China who calls out to Him to heal her sick child, but also listen to my prayer for wise words when my now-adult child is struggling.
God Does Not Find Fault
There is no condemnation from God for asking. Have you (like me) ever shuddered as you heard words like these come out of your mouth:
- “How many times do I have to repeat myself?”
- “Why did you wait until the last minute to tell me about your project?”
- “We’ve talked about this!”
Probably good examples of condemnation. And we get none of that from our perfect heavenly Father.
God Delivers
We ask. He answers. Then comes the hard part: doing what He says!
In what decision, relationship, or challenge do you and I need to ask God for wisdom today … and then follow through by heeding the guidance He provides?
For this week’s teaching video, Laura is joined by her friend, Jeanette Hudgeons. We invite you to listen as they discuss I Corinthians 2:12-13, and their observation that it is crucial to seek spiritual wisdom, which comes from the Holy Spirit, daily and consistently. Our human wisdom is so often based on feelings and selfish desires … but God’s thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours. We can trust that God is for us and that we can trust Him!
Don’t forget to download your copy of our July bookmark here, and join us this month in writing all these WISDOM verses!
