December 3

Dec 3- Today from Proverbs 3 we look at verse 13
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding."

Wisdom is a treasure that must be sought after. God gives it freely, but only to the diligent seeker. James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Who does God give generously to? The diligent seeker. James 1:6 & 7 goes on to teach that the petitioner must not be double-minded in his pursuit of wisdom, for the double-minded will not receive what God promises. That bears looking into. Just what does it mean to be double-minded?
Earlier in today's chapter of Proverbs is one of the most familiar verses in the Bible; verse 5. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." One who claims to be trusting in the Lord's promises while placing that promise in the context of one's own understanding is a double-minded person. God's promises are to be placed in the context of the totality of His Word. It is not genuine faith until we have heard from God as to how we are to approach or pursue any matter. We receive His promise only by following His instruction in appropriating the promise - not merely by claiming it "in Jesus' Name". "In Jesus' Name" means in His character. For example, one believer cannot sue another "in Jesus Name" because that is totally out of the character of Christ. In staying within context with God's Word, we can prove this from 1 Corinthians chapter six. One cannot refuse to pay taxes "in Jesus' Name". In staying within context with God's Word, we can prove this from Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2. These letters were written to believers who were being persecuted by the pagan authorities to whom they paid their taxes. These are just a couple of illustrations of a solid concept: We cannot claim God's promises when we try to achieve them in our own understanding. This is double-mindedness, and in doing so we will not receive what God has to offer in the situation. Not 'can not', but 'will not' - in such situations our will is already settled by our own understanding, there is no further pursuit of God's will.
In order to find wisdom, we must let go of our own way and seek God's way. We seek it in His Word, we seek it from mature believers reputed for their wisdom, and we seek it in the character of Jesus Christ. A few years ago believers all over this land were wearing WWJD (What would Jesus do?), bracelets. It was a public display of a thoughtful slogan, but it didn't seem to affect the character of the church all that much. But, that is a very good way to pursue wisdom. If you want to know what Jesus would do, read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and Galatians 5:22, 23. There you will find the true character of Christ. If you ask God anything while displaying that character, you will be in a position to receive it because you won't be asking for the wrong thing. Wisdom is solidly based in love. Love puts the best interest of other first. If you ask God to curse your enemy, He will not answer that prayer. If you ask God to bless your enemy, you have His full attention - but does He have yours? Are you now willing to be a blessing? Wisdom will show you how.
"Blessed is the man that finds wisdom." The church simply must learn that we are blessed of God in order that we might be a blessing. Wisdom is discovering life the way God meant it to be. Our wisdom is meant to facilitate our service to others. . . not to stay a rung or two above them on the 'ladder of life'.