Deuteronomy 4 / Luke 6:39-7:10 / Psalm 68:1-18 / Proverbs 11:28
Obey {God’s decrees and regulations} completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. (Deut. 4:6a)
“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”(Luke 6:46-49)
Both of these passages speak about wisdom that is directly tied to obedience to God’s Word, which is His voice. This also reminds me of what James 1 states.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.(James 1:22-25)
Before we can obey, we must hear God speaking. After we hear Him speak, we have a choice to make – obey or disregard. Maybe we need wisdom, so we ask God, but we don’t like His response. Maybe we think we’re not capable of following through with what He’s asking. Of course, that’s not true: it is Holy Spirit’s job to enable us to act upon what we’ve heard. It is our job to say, “Yes”.
Looking at the portion in Luke, how often have you begun an endeavor and you were not quite sure how to proceed? Maybe you barreled through anyway, and perhaps that was a disaster. What if you asked God for wisdom? Do you know that He cares about everything you undertake? All of it. There is nothing too large or too small that He will not listen and offer His direction.
Where and how will you hear that direction? It may be as you read your Bible, or as you pray you may hear His voice in your heart. He may send someone with either the wisdom you need or a direct word from Him to confirm what you’ve asked for.
Whatever it is you need – whatever question you face – whatever difficulty is ahead – remember to ask God for wisdom!
Also in James 1:5-8 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
If you need wisdom, ask God!
