If God were to come to you one day & say: -- “I’m going to give you one wish! -- You can ask for anything in the whole world. -- You can have one wish!” -- What would you wish for?
That very thing happened to one man in the Old Testament.
The Lord appeared to King Solomon one night & said, “What do you want more than anything else? -- ask me for anything & I will give it to you!” -- Solomon could have asked for great wealth! -- Or great fame -- or even a long & healthy life!
But as he thought it over, Solomon said: “You are wonderfully kind; -- You have made me king -- but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. -- Give me wisdom that I can govern your people well -- & that I might know the difference between right & wrong.”
We are told that the Lord was pleased with Solomon’s reply & was glad that he had asked for wisdom.
So God replied: “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people -- & have not asked for a long life -- or riches for yourself -- or the death of your enemies -- I will give you what you asked for! -- I will give you a wise & understanding mind such as no one else has ever had -- or ever will have! -- And I will also give you what you did not ask for -- riches & honor! And if you follow me & obey my commands -- I will give you a long life.”
If God came to you & said: -- “What do you want in life more than any thing else?” -- What would you ask for? -- Would you ask for wisdom?
It pleased the Lord that Solomon asked for wisdom! -- & it pleases God when you & I ask for wisdom!
Life is full of decisions! -- Life is basically a series of choices we make every day! -- We have to evaluate -- draw conclusions -- decide!
You will live your life either by chance -- or by choice!
Someone said: “We make our decisions & then our decisions make us!” -- The quality of your life will be determined by the kind of decisions you make in life!
Some decisions we live to regret; -- some of them we feel good about!
Illus: -- A young businessman went to an executive one day & asked for his wisdom: -- “What is the secret of business success?”
The man replied: “Wise decisions!”
The young man asked, “How can I learn to make wise decisions?”
The reply came, “Experience!” -- “So how do you get experience?”
The older man said, “By making dumb decisions!”
Do you face a problem in your life which has exhausted your best efforts?
Are you looking for answers which seem to evade you?
Do you need wisdom for your marriage? -- Wisdom to parent your children? -- Wisdom to help you on the job? -- Wisdom to deal with difficult relationships?
One of my favorite promises in the entire Bible is found in James 1:5!
It tells us that God wants to give us the wisdom we need & desire.
James is to the NT what the Book of Proverbs is to the OT.
It is the NT portion of the Wisdom Literature found in the Bible.
Let’s read it in the context of its surrounding verses -- James 1:2-8.
James says: “If any of you lack wisdom ...” -- That’s an understatement!
Here is a promise I have repeated many, many times!
The need for wisdom is always with us!
What do we do when -- a child goes astray? -- A business effort fails? -- Friends seem to turn against us? -- People come with problems & you have no advice? -- We have major decisions that need to be made?
We face so many different problems in life -- financial problems -- family problems -- relationship problems -- work related problems!
We don’t always have a clear handle on every situation we face!
As Christians -- we must always be enrolled in the school of learning -- the school of wisdom!
My friends -- there is no graduation from the school of wisdom!
There is no point at which we can say: -- “I now know it all.”
The Bible teaches us that true wisdom comes from God!
In fact it tells us that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God!
Did you know there are enough Ph.D.’s in the average Penitentiary to staff a good-sized college? - You can have knowledge w/o having wisdom
True wisdom is a commodity that is available to God’s people. --
It is not an intellectual pursuit of life.
It is not that which will give you a 4-point grade average; -- nor 100% on every exam.
God does not offer knowledge, for He expects us to obtain that through work & study -- but He does offer us wisdom!
Notice the character of the wisdom that God gives: --
According to James 3:17, “the wisdom that is from above is first of all pure -- it is also peace loving -- gentle at all times -- & willing to yield to others -- full of mercy & good deeds -- showing no partiality & is sincere.”
Wisdom is looking at life from God’s point of view.
Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge well.
Wisdom is a right conduct for living.
How privileged we are to have the all-wise God as our Instructor!
So how -- how do we get the wisdom we need -- & desire?
1. WISDOM IS GAINED THROUGH TRIALS! -- Vs. 2-4.
Notice that verse 5 follows verse 2-4.
We must not leap-frog over verses 2-4 to reach vs. 5.
In order to become full-grown & wise Christians we must pass through verses 2-4.
It’s not a matter of if we will fall into trials - but when will we fall into trials.
Trials will come -- & they will come in all types & circumstances!
My friends -- it is in the trials & testing that we gain wisdom.
When we are devastated by pain & loss & heartache -- we learn there is a resource beyond our human power to help us!
The trials of life will teach you valuable lessons -- if you use them as stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks!
It is my prayer that in every time of testing -- in every illness -- in every trial -- that I may see these experiences as stepping stone to a close walk with our Lord! -- As opportunities to discover His grace -- & to learn!
Illus: As a young boy -- I use to sit & watch mother ironing clothes.
Out would come the rolled-up, wrinkled shirts -- which had been previously dampened.
Then she would use a combination of the heat & pressure of the iron -- & she would take out even the deepest wrinkles; -- wrinkles I thought could never be ironed out.
God knows we’ve got wrinkles in our thinking -- & creases in our character.
So He holds back His protective hand -- & permits unexpected trouble -- & even long-term difficulties -- to help improve us.
It is God’s way of applying heat & pressures so that He can “iron” out the wrinkles in our lives!
(Not the wrinkles on our face -- but the wrinkles of our character!)
We don’t like it when we have to go through tough times! -- Nobody does.
But think about it! -- Whenever we go through a trial -- with our faith intact -- with our trust placed firmly with the Lord -- we come out of it better & stronger & wiser!
Someone has written, whatever does not kill me -- strengthens me
Andrae Crouch’s song, “Through It All” -- has always been a source of encouragement to me: --
I’ve had many tears & sorrows,
I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong;
But in every situation
God gave blessed consolation
That my trials come to only make me strong.
I’ve been to lots of places,
And I’ve seen a lot of faces,
There’ve been times I felt so all alone;
But in my lonely hours
Yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus lets me know that I was His own.
I thank God for the mountains,
And I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He bro’t me through;
For if I’d never had a problem
I wouldn’t know that He could solve them,
I’d never know what faith in God could do.
Chorus:
Through it all, Through it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God;
Through it all, Through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.
2. WISDOM IS GAINED THROUGH PRAYER! -- vs. 5.
When you feel the need for wisdom, don’t hesitate to ask God for it! --
Wisdom comes by asking!
God offers wisdom to all who will call upon Him! -- It’s just that simple!
It is the very nature of God to give generously!
Over & above our asking; -- He always pours out more.
God is eager to give you & me His wisdom!
Prayer is the means by which God chooses to give us wisdom.
It is in prayer that we seek to know the mind of Christ; -- the will of God.
Often when our children keep asking questions -- we become impatient with them!
Sometimes we tell them to look up the answer.
Sometimes we scold them for so much asking.
But when we “ask of God” -- He is One who will not chide us; -- He does not resent the asking; -- there is no reproving -- no rebuke from God.
In the granting of our request God often slips in the answer without our even knowing it!
A week -- or a month later -- we find ourselves saying: -- “Oh, yes! There’s the answer! -- Why didn’t I think of that before?”
Commenting on this text -- Oliver Wilson said: -- “Prayer makes the weak strong & the simple wise!”
Wisdom does not come from listening to Dr. Phil -- or by writing Dear Abby -- or by reading Cosmopolitan magazine -- or by taking smart pills!
The Bible says we get wisdom by asking God for wisdom!
Why not pray that God will give you the wisdom to better understand His Holy Word?
There are parts of the Bible that are very clear & understandable; -- then there are parts of Scripture that are hard & difficult to understand!
Mark Twain use to say: “It’s not the things in the Bible I do not under -stand that trouble me; -- it’s what I do understand that troubles me!”
I cannot think of any prayer that God would be more pleased to answer -- than a prayer for wisdom to better understand the difficult passages in the Book of Instructions He has given you & me to read & to study!
My friends -- a Christian on his knees sees more clearly than a philosopher on his tiptoes. -- Ask -- & it shall be given unto you!
Prayer opens the flood gates of our minds & hearts to better under-stand the ways of God -- & to grant us the wisdom we need in all the issues of life!
Illus: -- Abraham Lincoln was impressed with this great truth during America’s great Civil War.
A personal friend of Mr. Lincoln’s -- once visited the White House where he stayed for three weeks -- as the guest of the President.
Later the guest wrote that one night -- he was restless & could not sleep. -- It was just before the Battle of Bull Run.
From Lincoln’s bedroom -- he heard the low tones of the Lincoln’s voice
Looking in through the door that was slightly ajar -- the guest saw a sight which he would never forgot.
The tall Chief Executive was kneeling before an open Bible. -- He did not know his guest overheard his agonizing supplications -- as Lincoln pleaded: -- “O Thou great God that heard Solomon in the night when he prayed & cried for wisdom - hear me! -- I cannot lead these people. -- I cannot guide the affairs of this country w/o Thy help! -- O Lord, hear me & save this nation.”
The blessed answer Lincoln received is now history -- for the Union was preserved. -- Lincoln found that James 1:5 was not an idle promise.
Instead of leaning on your own understanding -- my friend -- admit your lack of wisdom & strength -- & humbly ask God for the wisdom that comes from above!
3. WISDOM IS GAINED THROUGH FAITH! -- vs. 6-8.
Faith is essential in any prayer -- but especially when it comes to asking for wisdom. -- Be sincere when you pray for wisdom!
If faith is lacking -- & the heart is wavering in unbelief -- then it is useless to ask anything of God!
Such a person is described as ‘a wave of the sea’ -- as ‘double-minded.’
When I read vs. 6-7 -- I almost get “sea sick.”
You can almost see & feel the waves -- driven by the wind & tossed!
If you don’t ask in faith truly believing -- then that is a picture of you!
“Double-minded” asking is illustrated well in Acts 12: --
The Christians were praying for Peter’s release from prison;
When Peter suddenly showed up at the door where they were praying -- they refused to believe the little girl Rhoda was telling the truth.
We are to pray with a heart full of faith - assured that God will graciously give us our request.
When we ask for wisdom -- we must ask with the conviction that we will get what we ask for!
“Feeble faith” -- or half-hearted faith -- will not bring much wisdom.
If we are only half-hearted in our asking -- we will get only half the help, or even less than half! -- Doubt is disabling; -- Faith is rewarding.
A faith that is steadfast -- however -- is God’s delight!
God loves to honor the petitions of those who earnestly seek His wisdom -- & want His will for their lives.
Illus: -- Kara -- a converted orphan girl -- lived in a part of India where wickedness & spiritual darkness were prevalent.
Fearing she would become a slave -- & be physically abused -- she appealed to the missionary who taught in another village -- to take her into her home.
The sympathetic woman replied: “I’m sorry Kara, but we have no vacant rooms -- & no money to build any.”
Young Kara tried to hold back the tears -- but then said to the missionary -- “I’m going to pray that God will give you the wisdom to know how to work it out.”
When the lady reached home that night -- she found a letter from the US -- with a large sum of money. -- Encouraged, she decided to use it to build an extra little room for the girl who so badly needed a place to stay.
The next morning she sent a helper to go get Kara. -- She didn’t expect them to return until late that night -- for the journey was long.
So she was surprised when the helper came back with the little girl at noon. -- Kara explained: “When I prayed -- God assured me it was His will for me to come to your home -- so I thought I might as well get started.” -- The helper said, “She was almost here when I met her.”
Kara had asked in faith -- nothing wavering -- & God heard & answered.
True faith is not just believing that God can; -- it’s knowing that He will!
CONCLUSION: --
We are often like the man who sought far & wide for diamonds -- only to discover that his own brook that flowed behind his house was filled with them.
We want wisdom; -- we seek the world over for wisdom.
But wisdom is gained through our own trials & experiences of life.
Wisdom comes through our prayers as we seek to know the mind & the will of God!
Wisdom comes as we put our full faith & trust in a loving & caring Heavenly Father!
Has life created a demand for wisdom in your heart today?
Do you face a situation you cannot figure out?
You don’t know which way to turn -- or what to do or think?
Where do you need wisdom right now?
What big decision are you facing in your life? -- Is it a career decision? -- Marriage? -- Kids? -- An investment? --
As life becomes more & more complex -- we need to be fortified with the wisdom that God alone can give! --
God is the source of wisdom!
And God gives a beautiful promise to all of us who lack wisdom.
And God is not stingy with this gift!
May God help us to avail ourselves of His divine offer of wisdom!
Instead of leaning on your own understanding: -- recognize your need for wisdom; -- admit your lack of wisdom; -- admit your lack of strength for the tasks of life; -- request the wisdom you need; -- humbly request the wisdom that is from above; -- & receive the gift of wisdom that God offers!