Wisdom: The Right Use of Knowledge (James 1:5)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 08-21-03

 

My Worship Time                              Focus:  Wisdom:  The Right use of Knowledge

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  James 1:5

 

            Message of the verse:  “5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” 

            In order to understand this verse you must be able to understand exactly what “Godly wisdom” is, and in order to understand godly wisdom you must know the Scriptures, for in them Godly wisdom is found.  “The readers of James’ letter recognized this as the understanding and practical skill that was necessary to life to God’s glory, wisdom contained in the pure and peaceable absolutes of God’s will revealed in His Word, and lived out.”  (From John Macarthur’s study Bible) 

            When a person is going through a trial that is God authorized he must ask God for the wisdom he needs to understand what he is to get out of that trial so that it will cause him to grow in his faith and to mature as a believer.  The verse then assures us that God will give wisdom, in fact He will gladly give it to you in a generous way and without reproach, in other words He will not resent your asking.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As I try to put this verse into shoe leather for my life today I face a problem that has been with me ever since I can remember, and that is being nervous.  I am going to play golf with three fine believers this morning and being nervous about it causes my IBS to react in a way that makes me even more nervous.  I think of the verses in Phil. 4:6 & 7 which say that a believer is to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let his requests be known unto God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  I can learn from this wisdom of the Scriptures that I am not to be nervous, that when I am nervous that I am to give thanks, and I believe the reason to give thanks is that this trial draws me closer to the Lord.  I am to make my request of not being nervous known unto God, who is glade to hear this request according to James 1:5.  Then God is to give me his peace which passes all understanding and will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  In an earlier devotion on James I learned that I am to surrender my trials to the Lord so that He can use them to cause me to mature in my faith. 

 

The Word of God was a challenge to my heart, and it was also convicting to my soul.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To surrender to the Lord my nervousness and to ask Him to give me wisdom to deal with it so that it will bring glory to Him and good to me.  I trust the Lord to work out Phil. 4:6 & 7 in my life today.