If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. James 1:5
Did you ever notice how many of the news stories on a daily basis are accounts of the lack of wisdom? Criminals commit their crimes because they lack the wisdom to understand the consequences of their actions. Crime victims are victimized because they lack the understanding of how to protect themselves against the unscrupulous and the vindictive. Social injustices are often caused by the unwise decisions of governments at all levels, as lawmakers fail to take into account the factors that they should. Every bankruptcy, every marriage breakup, every accident and tragedy, in fact, every sin that is ever committed, has behind it a lack of wisdom and a failure to take the right action at the right time. How very important it is, then, to have the wisdom to avoid the bad and obtain the good!
What is wisdom? Wisdom is not knowledge, although it can certainly employ knowledge. The simplest definition of wisdom is the making of right decisions. The more we know the better decisions we can (but not necessarily do) render. Think of our first parents. Adam and his wife had so much going for them, had such clear direction and warning presented to them, and yet, still committed the greatest act of foolishness and lack of wisdom in all of history. Looking back over our own lives, we can clearly remember the unwise actions and moves that have shaped so much of our experience. But our text tells us that wisdom is not far away, there is no need to live with the consequences of making the wrong decisions.
There is an old gag that explains why robbers rob banks: that’s where the money is. So that is why we should ask God for wisdom: that’s where the wisdom is. While our minds are often too limited in ability to soak up the knowledge we might need, they are not too limited to accept the wisdom that God wants us to have. All we have to do is ask. I can speak from personal experience and confirm that God does indeed give wisdom when we ask. How foolish of me not to ask more often! How wonderful that we can tap into the Fount of all wisdom, just by asking!
When was the last time you needed wisdom? And when was the last time you asked God for wisdom? -Jim MacIntosh