I Wanna be Wise.

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. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8

Just asking for wisdom is a good thing, but in the context of this passage I begin to see why it's a better thing than I thought. Asking for wisdom doesn't just mean that you get a clue as to what is the next thing to do when you are confused. It's also about enabling us to see what God is doing, to get His view of things, so that I can peacefully submit to His purposes.

Thankfully all God's people can follow all God's commands; He does not ask us to do what we are not enabled to do. But wisdom is an additional blessing, in that God lets us in on the purposes for those commands, like a general explaining His strategy instead of merely giving commands. All will be blessed who follow God's commands even if they do not fathom why God commands as He does. Even more blessing follows when we understand the command's purpose, believing God's unfailing goodness.

O Father, I pray for wisdom especially in trial. I pray for wisdom even when the trial doesn't feel like a trial, such as when I am given such abundance that I become tempted to put my trust in abundance. Father, train me to trust nothing in this world, but to keep my eyes fixed on You. When I am unsure of what to do, help me to keep trusting, throwing my heart, mind and body once more into Your care. For You are good-- always!