By Staff
God promises abundant wisdom to all who ask for it (James 1:5). Whether we realize it or not, our greatest need is for wisdom.
Wisdom is the ability to see life and its circumstances from God's perspective.
It has been said that we should not ask God why He does certain things, or why certain things happen, but asking God "Why?" may be the simplest plea for wisdom from above.
The request for wisdom is conditioned by our recognition of need (James 1:5a). The wise person acknowledges that they do not know or understand and asks the necessary questions. This may be one of those "catch 22" situations. It is like it takes wisdom to know you need to ask for wisdom. We can cut through all that by simply humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God and asking Him for wisdom.
The one who asks for wisdom is granted abundance. God "gives to all liberally" (James 1:5). Our plea for wisdom will result in a flood of wisdom from God.
James also tells us that wisdom is given without reproach. In other words, asking for wisdom will make us look wise.
The context for the request for wisdom is in the midst of trials. James is telling us that it is cause for rejoicing when various trials come our way (James 1:2).
James continues in verse 3 stating that trials test our faith and produce patience. Patience is produced because we are forced to trust God when it does not look like He cares or is active in our affairs.
Patience is a process that moves us to maturity. Maturity is that state where we are persuaded that God is God and He is good. Wisdom convinces us of God.
Maturity is Christlikeness. The Apostle Paul tells us in the epistle to the Romans, chapter 8, verse 28, "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." We do not immediately embrace Romans 8:28, for "all things" may not seem good at the time. It is when we endure those things with patience, asking God for wisdom, that we move toward a mature faith in God working in our lives.
James says in chapter 1, verse 4, "Let patience have its perfect work." Patience works in the fertile field of God's abundant wisdom.
James exhorts us in verse 6 of chapter 1 to "ask in faith, with no doubting." We might conclude that our asking God for wisdom is rooted in doubt, but the fact that we are coming to Him recognizing Him as God and seeking to know Him is asking in faith.
Wisdom is personified in the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapters 8 and 9. Wisdom is crying out (Proverbs 8:1-11). Wisdom declares its virtues in Proverbs, chapter 8, verses 12-21, and establishes its history in verses 22-31. Proverbs, chapter 9, verses 1-7, shows wisdom as the great seeker. We have great need for wisdom; we must continually ask God for it.
When we ask for wisdom and it comes to us, it will not slap us on the back and tell us, "Here I am!" Wisdom comes gently, almost imperceptibly. When we ask for it, we believe by faith it has come, and we act accordingly. Wisdom will never lead us to think or do anything opposed to the Word of God. Asking God for wisdom must be accompanied by searching the Scriptures.
James tells us what wisdom will look like in our lives in James, chapter 3, verse 13b: "Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." Wisdom is ministered through the Spirit of God by the grace of God, and will be consistent with being Spirit-filled.
James continues in chapter 3, verse 14, telling us that wisdom from God will not involve bitter envy and self-seeking, or boasting and lying. "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17).
Ask God for wisdom and receive it. The result will be godliness in our lives.