Dearly beloved in Christ,
I greet you in the sweet name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We greatly need wisdom in our daily life and work. Proverbs 16:16 says, “How much better it is to get wisdom than gold, and to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” We also read in II Chronicles 9:23, “All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.” We are qualified to be exalted and to be praised among many, when we increase in wisdom. When we receive this exalted wisdom, all our situations change and we become His instruments for God’s plan to be fulfilled, and to receive His vision. Proverbs 3:13 says, “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.” Yes, thus we see the glory of wisdom.
1. For the skill to do things impeccably
“...wisdom brings success.” Ecclesiates 10:10
Wisdom is essential for us to complete any work perfectly. Many people are dismayed and worried when they find some defect or difficulty in what they have done and regretfully say “Oh, I have not been sensible or wise in doing this.”
Once a brother came to pray with me for the problems in his business to be solved. He was running this business in partnership with his friend. But suddenly this friend filed a case against him. The lawsuit alleged that he had to pay a certain amount of money to that man. This brother said that he had done a very unwise thing, trusting his friend and giving him blank cheques signed in advance. Hence this problem. We meet with struggles and problems because of our unwise ways of doing things. Wisdom is so essential for us to do anything correctly. The Lord supplies us with this true wisdom liberally.
2. Wisdom gives understanding.
“...the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10
Wisdom gives us understanding and it is because we do not understand things that, we face difficulties and losses. Sorrows increase in the lives of those without understanding. We sin because we have no discernment. We create hindrances for others. The Bible clearly says that we do not praise God and we become slaves to darkness because we have no understanding. Psalm 14:2 says, “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.” We commit many mistakes because we do not understand what is God’s will.
When I was a young boy, I was very interested in rearing pigeons. I would lure other pigeons to come to my place with the help of my own pigeons. Since these new pigeons were not able to know or understand that this was a different place, they used to feed and to drink there. At that time I used to catch them and clip their wings so that they might not fly away. They were caught because they lacked understanding.
Dear brother and sister, seek the presence of the Lord now to receive God’s wisdom that you may not be enslaved by sin and the evil deeds of the enemy due to lack of understanding, so that you may not suffer unexpected loss and trouble. All your insufficiency will vanish your tears will be wiped away, your wants met and -you will receive honour and be lifted up, if you humble yourself in the presence of the God Most High to receive wisdom. He who supplies liberally to all, will fill you with wisdom wonderfully. You will receive understanding to know all things and receive honour.
3. We shall be instruments of joy.
“A wise son makes a glad father...” Proverbs 10:1
These days, children make their parents very sorrowful. But when they are filled with wisdom from God and their actions become good and fine, they truly bring not sorrow but joy to their parents. The wrong lifestyles, wrong habits, wrong activities and wrong relationships of children cause defeat, sorrow and grief. What have we brought into this world? What are we going to take out of it? No one thinks of that. Many children deceive their parents be-cause of their own lusts, covetousness and sinful habits and they inturn deceive themselves. Very often we do not realise the truth of God’s word that what we sow, we reap. Our eyes of understanding are blinded and consequently we suffer.
Once a father came to me for prayer with great sorrow. He said, “I spent all my earnings on my children. All the remaining money I divided among them. I did everything trusting that my children will look after me till I die. But now I have nothing for myself, no place to stay or to eat or to clothe myself. I have only a small pension. Please admit me in some old people’s home.” When I was praying for him, the Spirit of the Lord led me to ask him how he had treated his parents. He started weeping bitterly. He cried out, “I did not look after my mother properly. I was foolish and allowed my mother to go to her grave in sorrow.” If a man is wise, he would make his parents happy and receive blessings and honour.
On the contrary, the son of a teacher known to me, obeyed his father, excelled in his studies and became a high ranking officer. That son did everything pleasing to his father in the best manner. So that teacher used to talk a lot about his son to everyone. Whenever he mentioned his son’s name, his face would brighten with joy. But many children not understanding the hearts of their father and mother and their love, give them a lot of sorrow and grief through their atrocious acts of sinfulness.
Dear brother, sister! Give thanks to the Lord for His gift to you i.e. your parents. Mend your ways that are on the wrong path. Be filled with wisdom from God and fill your father with true joy. You will also receive blessings of your future generations.
4. Wisdom elevates you to be a ruler.
“...God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.” Acts 7:9,10
The wisdom that God gives elevates our position to be rulers. God had given Joseph the wisdom to interpret dreams. Along with it also was given the wisdom to counsel what should be done about what was revealed through the dreams. So his God given wisdom enabled him to give the interpretation and meaning of the dreams of the cup bearer and the baker of Pharaoh who were with him in prison. It happened exactly as he said. Then God gave him the wisdom to interpret the Pharaoh’s dreams also and so God changed his life. He who was in prison became a ruler in the palace. The wisdom given to him raised him up to become a ruler.
Dear brother, sister! The Lord has given us the needed wisdom, and continues to give it. When you are filled with this wisdom, you will be able to explain all things, including dreams and circumstances. He will lift you up to give counsel. Child of God, you are dismayed because you are among those who oppose you and are your enemies, and you are accused of what you have not done and you are unable to do anything about it. Humble yourself before God to receive His wisdom. The God of love who said, “I will make you see wonders,” will fill you miraculously with all wisdom and lift you up. May be, you are yearning for a lift in your work, or in your business. You will receive honour and distinction more than ever before. Humble yourself to receive God’s wisdom so that this most high blessing may come to you.
5. It will be made possible to be bright and to shine in life.
“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who lead many to righteousness like stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3
We wish to live a bright shining life. There are many who spend their time and money on clothes and hairdressing. But these will fade out after some time. It may even cause damage to the body. But the wisdom given by God gives a true, bright and shining life that will last forever. In the worldly life people have learnt to act like good people. Their speech and outward appearances make lot of people trust them. But their inner hearts are filled with abominations and all kinds of uncleanness. When we are filled with wisdom granted by God, we shall receive a wonderful life that will shine and glow forever. The Lord Jesus Christ grants this great blessing abundantly and fully to the poor, the helpless, the humble, the great, the orphans and to those who are considered worthless. We are living a life that has been darkened but Christ Jesus, the true light that gives light to every man has come to give us a bright and shining life. Let us humble ourselves to receive the knowledge to know Him and the wisdom that He grants. Then the dark gloom will be removed and a life of brightness will be granted to us.
1. We should hate sin.
“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9
Child of God, in this world the devil brings all kinds of sinful temptations in a cunning manner. We should guard ourselves from yielding to these sinful temptations. We need godly wisdom to be poured into us so that we may abide in it. We should not forget what Paul has said in Ephesians 5:11 to guard our lives. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” God has granted His wisdom to many people in various ways. To safeguard this wisdom and for it to grow, there should be the fear of God in us and the zeal to avoid sin. It is very important not to neglect one’s wisdom, nor give place to pride and fame but rather hold fast to wisdom. Ezekiel 28:12 says about Lucifer, “... You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.” Then later, in Ezekiel 28:16 “... you sinned. Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God...” Therefore when we sin, we are driven out and God’s fire rises against us. This is the fire that the Lord Jesus Christ came to bring on the earth among His children (Luke 12:49). Therefore first of all we should try to guard our holy life to receive wisdom and to safeguard it. As Joseph safeguarded his purity and holiness in all circumstances, struggles and injustices as his wisdom was perfect. His wisdom worked perfectly in him enabling him to interpret dreams and to give suitable counsel. From prison he was lifted to the palace and received honour and glory.
2. We should pray.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
Prayer brings wisdom in perfection. Whoever excels in prayer life, will be filled with the most high godly wisdom poured into their lives. The word of the Lord Most High clearly and definitely says that this wisdom will be given generously and fully to one and all. Prayer is the time when we can relate to God. If a father and a son do not talk to each other it shows that there is something wrong or lacking in their relationship. But if they talk freely, certainly their relationship in fine and whole. If people whom we know well or our relations do not talk to us when we meet, we are sad. In the same way, the Lord is very eager to hear us, talking to Him. When a baby looks at his mother’s face and tries to make some sound to communicate with her, the mother’s heart is filled with immeasurable love and she hugs the child to her heart and kisses it. All the pain of giving birth and that of her weakness all disappears and she is happy and joyous. In the same way when we speak to the Most High God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, He for-gets all the agony He suffered on the cross and He embraces us and blesses us. As the Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you...” We should learn to pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Father. Let us offer ourselves to be filled with God’s wisdom, to be established firmly in a life of prayer like David who called Him. “O. You who hear prayer.” The Most High Lord of Lords answered Hezekiah when he was sick and dying and prayed, “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you. I will add fifteen years to your life.” He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Lord of Lords who heard Hannah’s prayer for a child, offered with a vow, still lives. To get us into the habit of praying every day before the presence of this loving God. He gave us His Son Jesus Christ to be our example. Let us pray through Him from now onwards. We shall see miracles.
3. The Lord’s testimony makes us wise.
“...The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple,” Psalm 19:7
When we see and understand every act of the Lord, His wisdom is poured into us. Simon Peter left everything behind to follow Jesus Christ. The reason was that he saw with his own eyes, His mighty acts and His wonderful authority. He experienced his own life’s failure being turned to victory. Beyond human power and energy, He made him walk on the sea. He saw diseases healed and devil’s actions destroyed. Thus he had seen many evidences. Because he knew how Jesus suffered on the cross, died and rose again alive on the third day. So there was wisdom in him. “When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13). So the Lord’s testimony changes us into wise men.
4. Self control brings wisdom.
“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8
Daniel was one of the young captives. He took a decision about his food. In his young age he decided to have only simple food, and he carried out his decision. As a result he and three other young men who made the same decision along with him were thus blessed by God. “As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” Daniel 1:17. They were given wisdom ten times more wisdom than the others, because they had self control. We know from Galatians 5:22 that self control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. We see many kinds of lusting and cravings in this world. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and other such cravings stain and mar our lives and hinder God’s wisdom from being poured into us. Daniel had the Lord’s Spirit. The King of Babylon gave testimony about Daniel in Daniel 5:14, “I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.” Dear brother and sister! When you offer yourselves to live a holy, prayerful life of self-control, God will bless you with His Most High Spirit that you may be filled with wisdom. Through the spirit of the Lord we are granted many fine and useful qualities. According to Isaiah 11:2-3, “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him.The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and of power, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.” To receive the Lord’s Spirit and the Most High Godly wisdom we need self control. Let us humble ourselves and dedicate ourselves to be filled with the fruits of the Spirit, self control.
5. Love Gives Wisdom.
“God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.” I Kings 4:29
The Lord gave Solomon this wonderful wisdom. The reason is found in I King 3:3, “Solomon loved the Lord, as he walked in the statutes of his father David...” If we do not love the world but offer ourselves to love Jesus Christ who gave His life for us on the Cross of Calvary, then God’s wisdom will be granted to us. According to I Cor. 1:30, “Christ Jesus has become for us wisdom from God that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” Jesus Christ by His blood and sufferings won for us the great re-demption. If we love this Jesus Christ, if we set right the desires of our heart, and our actions then God will fill us with the wisdom that the world cannot know or understand. He has revealed His wonderful love through the great act of love of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross. Let us offer ourselves to love with all our heart and with all our strength, just as Jesus Christ who loved us while we were still sinners. May His wisdom and grace fill and increase in us.
The Lord bless us.
In the service of Christ Jesus,
Late Bro. C. Ebenezer Paul
(Message originally published in March 2003)