James has tips on obtaining wisdom and he emphasizes the need of wisdom during trials.
Read James 1:2-8 [please note all scripture verse are linked so you can read them right from here as the link opens in a separate window]
Review from previously:
1. Reaction to trials - joy [not enjoyment in trial] which is an intelligent appraisal that God is at work in your life during a trial. Then we saw that as we have the proper reaction to our trials [joy] then we get something good ...
2. Reward to our trials - patience, steadfastness, we are complete, perfect, entire lacking nothing having all of our parts present.
Verse 5- James is still talking about trials although people try to pull this verse out of context. He says if you lack wisdom during your trial let him ask of God.
Now the word "If" implies that some Christians were falling short of the wisdom that was needed to turn their trials into triumphs. Remember what these believers were going through - persecution, homeless, being fed to lions, etc. To get a feel for what they were going through, you should study the holocaust.
During trials, a lot of us complain, saying to God, "Why are you doing this to me?" "Woe is me, what is happening?" Too many times we rebel and seek the wrong solutions to our trials. So, what should we do? James says, "If you lack wisdom..." this is a command, it is not an option. James does not say, tell God to deliver you from your trial, he says ask God for wisdom.
What is wisdom? [Strong's #4678. σοφία sŏphia, sof-ee´-ah; from 4680; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual):—wisdom.]
Strong,
J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament
and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 66). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible
Software.
Wisdom is insight into the true nature of things.
How does this help us? When you and I are going through a trial we need to pray for wisdom during a trial which would be this:
**Insight to understand why you are having the trial,
**Insight to behave properly while going through the trial,
**Insight to know what might come out of the trial,
**Insight to learn lessons from God while you are going through the trial,
**Insight to know, "Lord, is there a sin that you are chastening me for? Do I need to repent, confess or avoid a certain sin?"
Why ask God for wisdom? Why can't we just call our mama [who's really smart btw and understands us really well] or our sister or even our best friend?
Look at Job 28 and we will see from God's Word why we should ask God for wisdom. Job was talking from experience. He was a wealthy man and lost everything materially and then if that is not enough he lost not just one of his children but all of his children in one day. Then he was afflicted with sores all over his body. He was miserable...He understood trials.
“But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living. The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’ and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’ “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place. For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure, when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder, then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out. And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’ ”
The
Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Job 28:12–28).
Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
From this passage in Job we see Him seeking God for wisdom in the midst of his tremendous trials. His 3 friends couldn't give him wisdom....He called them miserable comforters. He couldn't get wisdom from his wife, remember what she said? Job why don't you just curse God and die! The people closest to him couldn't help him. So in verse 12 what does Job ask? “But where shall wisdom be found? You can't get it in the land, or the ocean, you can't purchase it, The only one who knows wisdom is God. He is the source of wisdom...it comes from Him. He is the God of all wisdom, He knows the beginning and the end. He is the one that allowed your trial and He knows exactly how it is going to turn out. Your hubby doesn't know that & neither does your best friend. God knows your need before you ask. He is the Wonderful Counselor. Ps. 16:7 , Proverbs 9:10
That is where wisdom comes from....God. In I Kings 3:5-15 we find a supreme example of wisdom [note, Solomon was only 20 years old and he was King!]. Now read on through verses 16-28 as this is the best part. Do you see why we need to ask God for wisdom through trials, for everything in our lives? I have no wisdom in myself but God does...He is the source of wisdom. Have you ever seen when you went to seek the help of others 1st that God ultimately had the answer all along? If you had just gone to Him 1st you could have saved yourself a lot of time and heartache.
I heard a story about a lady being interviewed who was talking about the fact that she suffers with pain....about 3-4 hours of unbelievable, tremendous pain and the host asked her what she did when she was in so much pain and she told him that she would spend those 3-4 hours in prayer. She wanted to take so hold of God during her trial, her pain and suffering that she was willing to spend 3-4 hours in prayer! Hmm...Am I willing to do that? Are you? There is no scripture that requires this nor am I suggesting that you have to do this or that the Lord requires it, but it might be the best solution during your trial. Sometimes a quick "O Lord help me right now" is what is needed and I am not suggesting that you never seek the wisdom & counsel of others [Prv. 15:22]. Sometimes you do need to seek godly counsel because God has given you a mate [if you have one] and friends & pastors for that purpose so there is a time that we DO need to seek the advice and counsel of others. But, be very careful. Make sure that everything that is said to you is backed up by the Word of God. It is the manual by which we live our lives, by which we get guidance & wisdom. It is possible that God will continue to allow that trial to keep coming into our life when we don't seek Him 1st for wisdom.
Ok I am going to stop here. We'll begin again with James giving us 2 reasons why we need to ask God for wisdom.
Read James 1:1-8 over again several times...memorize it if you can. I am hoping this has been profitable for you & that you are following along with me as we learn together!
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