Today’s Tasting: The Letter of James
We have collected Christmas lists from our six grandchildren and the excitement escalates to give them gifts that they hope for. Our children and grandchildren will spend the night with us on Christmas Eve to awake for Christmas morning brunch and gift exchanges. This will be our first Christmas together in two years. The Lord has blessed us with four new grandchildren this year. Oh, the good gifts with which He has blessed us! God has said to ask for wisdom and we, as grandparents and they as parents, don’t hold back from asking for this gift of wisdom, in order to rear these children in a Christ-like manner.
What are you hoping for? I believe that it excites our Heavenly Father when we ask Him for good and perfect gifts that He is so generously ready to give us.
James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously.”
James 1:17: “Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.”
James 3:13-18: Wisdom is a gift from God to us. So, put that on your Christmas list and ask God, who gives generously.
Wisdom defined: khohmah, understanding, a right use of the mind; the ability to discern modes of action with a view to their results (Vines Expository Dictionary). Also wisdom is defined as insight and judgment.
Solomon’s wisdom is responsible for the book of Ecclesiastes, which takes a glimpse into the life of one who had the means to pursue happiness through various avenues. He tried everything known to man, but his attempt led only to emptiness. Whether or not Solomon penned Ecclesiastes or whether a scribe wrote it in Solomon’s honor, it sketches a critical essay of the meaning of life giving a purpose and balance to all things. Not until the end of his writing does Solomon’s wisdom conclude life’s meaning, “Reverence for God.”
“I said to myself, Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them. So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:16-17 NLT).
By the end of his writing, Solomon’s wisdom concludes,
“That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NLT).
The course of history imprinted Solomon’s request for wisdom and knowledge. His greatest wisdom and knowledge surfaced at the end of his life, to fear God and love Him.
Jesus Himself grew in wisdom: “There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on Him…Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (Luke 2:40, 52 NLT).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice it have a good understanding. Praise Him forever!” (Psalm 111:10 NLT).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10 ESV).
Receive the good gift of wisdom. It is yours for the asking. It is certainly on my gift list for which to hope.
God, I ask for wisdom. Give me this good and perfect gift that you so eagerly want to give. I honor and worship you, I fear you with a holy reverence, knowing that You are God. You want to bless me with good gifts and one of wisdom. Help me practice wisdom while doing life this Christmas Season and in the year ahead. Thank you for your faithfulness and love for me.
Share with us: http://thebiblefeastblog.com
Tomorrow’s Delight: 2 Peter; Jude
Carolyn Marlowe, CCLC
Gigi to six adorable grandchildren
https://www.facebook.com/AlivebyHisWord
Yes! We did get good gifts with expanding our entire family!
Amen!