What kind of wisdom do you have?
Jeremiah 8:9. "Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?" What kind of wisdom do you call upon to govern your life? Have you, like the Israelites, rejected the word of the Lord? Maybe the wisdom of the world sounds a little bit better for some things than the word of the Lord. There are many things in the world that sound wise but unless that wisdom is based on God's word, the source of all wisdom, it truly is not wise. In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3.
In 2 Samuel 2:1-7 David sought the Lord for wisdom and based his decisions on what God said and God blessed him. In the remaining part of the chapter Abner and Joab were operating by earthly wisdom which resulted in senseless death. Jeremiah 8 is an indictment from the Lord against Israel because they had turned from following the wisdom of the Lord and had turned to worthless idols and worship of heavenly bodies. "No one repents of the wickedness saying 'What have I done?' Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle." Jeremiah 8:6b.
Matthew 19:1-12. The Pharisees questioned God's wisdom regarding marriage. Sandwiched between that portion and the account of the rich young ruler, who went away sad because he could not accept the wisdom that came from Jesus and part with his earthly goods, are three small verses where children were brought to Jesus and he blessed them. "The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matt. 19:14. Little children accept God's wisdom without question. Become like little children. Matthew 18:3.
We need to do a wisdom checkup and discern what kind of wisdom we choose. Are we making decisions based on the wisdom of the world? What wisdom do we call upon to govern our finances, make decisions regarding relationships, our marriage, raise our children? How about the movies we choose to see, the material we read, what we allow our eyes to see on the computer? James calls upon us to show our wisdom by our good life and by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13-16. If there is bitter envy, selfish ambition, disorder and evil practices it comes from earthly wisdom that is of the devil.
The wisdom that comes from heaven is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17. Wow!! These qualities need to be multiplied in our lives and in our churches in order for us to be relevant in our world. Do you lack this kind of wisdom? Just ask for it. God gives it generously to those who ask. James 1:5.
What kind of wisdom do you have?
Reading for July 19th - 2 Samuel 3, Jeremiah 9, Matthew 20 (no devotional)
Reading for July 20th - 2 Samuel 4-5, Jeremiah 10, Matthew 21
God is good all the time
Naomi Brinkman
3 comments:
Thank you for YOUR wisdom, Naomi. What a fantastic devotional and a great reminder of the contrast between God's wisdom and the worlds wisdom.
Amazing blog! What a contract it is when you compare the worlds wisdom with God's wisdom and the wisdom of His word. It truly is very different. Though the wisdom of the world may look appealing, the results it bears is definitely not. I would rather have an appealing result than an appealing process.
Thank you for the end! Do you lack this kind of wisdom? Just ask for it. God gives it generously to those who ask. James 1:5.
God is so good, He just gives it freely. It reminds me of Solomon, that's what he asked for and in return he not only got wisdom and knowledge but also provision, health and honor (2 Chronicles 1: 6-12)
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