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James 1:5 – Wisdom
Are we wise? I seem to pray for wisdom more today than in bygone years. Either I am realizing the greater need, or how unwise I truly am, or more likely a combination of both.
In contemplating wisdom I have a thought or two:
- I often do not respond immediately to what is said or written. I calculate my words carefully, weighing both what I mean and what the reader or listener will understand. Being this cautious leads me to know that I am not wise, but I am wise enough to realize it! For me, wisdom takes time. I have proven too many “times” otherwise.
- One day I hope to be able to respond quickly and wisely, without so much hesitation – with God’s help I will become wise.
James 1:5 – But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
This is a prayer that needs to be said – but it is a dangerous prayer. Contextually, it follows Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (vv.2-4)
Then James speaks of something we lack – wisdom. Praying for wisdom is dangerous because of how God gives it to us – through difficult times. Why? Difficult times are when we learn the most about ourselves. Difficult times are when we learn how to better handle difficult times…the next time.
So when we go through difficult times, let us learn. Let us learn whether or not we are wise. Let us discover if we are at least wise enough to know we are not. Let us know, or else we will prove we are not wise and only others will know.
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