My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding… If you seek has as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. - Proverbs 2:1, 2, 4, 5
The separation between God and humanity began when sin entered the Garden of Eden. Humanity was cut off from the wisdom of God as a result of sin. Ever since then, we have found it difficult to understand and interpret our circumstances and conflicts. We need the wisdom of God to understand these things and know God.
James makes it crystal clear that there are two kinds of wisdom in the world. In James 3:15-17, earthly, human wisdom is compared with heaven's wisdom. Earthly wisdom is sensual, demonic, envious, and self-seeking, causing confusion and every kind of evil. God declares that this kind of human wisdom will never achieve knowledge of Him! In contrast, "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" (v.17).
How can we gain this heavenly wisdom? James assures us, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). Clearly, heaven's wisdom is a gift from above. When we acknowledge our spiritual destitution and our own inability to deal with the conflicts of life, and turn in faith to God, He will give His gift of wisdom. With this kind of wisdom, we learn to see things from heaven's viewpoint as God begins replacing our spiritual destitution with spiritual insight!
Lord Jesus, how we desperately need Your wisdom and understanding as we navigate through life. Help me every day to depend totally on You for the wisdom that comes as a gift from heaven. Amen.
Thank you Norman Hunt - Canton, GA