God’s Wisdom

Readings for today: James 1-3, Psalms 31

I have met many people over the years who claim to speak for the Lord. They claim they hear from the Lord. They claim they have words from the Lord. They claim they’ve received some form of special revelation from the Lord. Now do I believe God still speaks to His people? Of course. Do I believe God visits His people in dreams and visions? Absolutely. Do I believe God sometimes gives His people a prophetic word of encouragement or conviction? Without a doubt. But how does a person know when a message is actually from the Lord?

Years ago, I was a Manage of Patient Access Services at Boulder Community Hospital. I had about four departments and around fifty employees working for me. One of them was a believer who often would claim to hear special messages from the Lord. She would wander around the office delivering these “messages” to her fellow employees. It made people uncomfortable. Her words often didn’t make sense. She asked people to share inappropriately with her. It was disruptive. It was manipulative. And it created a lot of resentment and frustration in our office. When I confronted her and asked her to stop, she grew angry and resentful. She began spreading all sorts of rumors and lies about my leadership. Eventually, she had to be terminated. It was a sad episode that taught me a lot about the importance of discernment.

So how do we discern if a message is from God? James 3:17-18 is clear. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.” Looking back, it was clear the wisdom my employee was offering wasn’t pure or peace-loving or without pretense. It was more designed to promote her own sense of self-worth. Her intent wasn’t to sow peace but to sow pride. And I know I’ve made similar mistakes myself. Especially as a preacher. Every week, I am responsible to get up and share a message from the Lord with God’s people. I always have to check my heart to make sure I am not sharing from a place of pride or selfishness or anger or frustration or a need for affirmation. Every preacher I know wrestles with their motivations every time they get into the pulpit. We have to crucify our ego and desires and fears. We have to empty ourselves of all pride and pretense so God can fill us with His wisdom through His Spirit. And, at the end of the day, we need to be judged on our fruits. What do we produce? Not numbers. Not butts in the seats. Not influence. Not the number of followers we have on social media. But the fruit of purity and peace. The fruit of gentleness and mercy. The fruit of righteousness. This is the ultimate determination of whether we are sharing God’s Word or our own words. And the same holds true for every believer in the world.

Readings for tomorrow: James 4-5, Psalms 32

The Foolishness of God’s Wisdom

Readings for today: 2 Corinthians 1-2, Psalms 149

I read a book years ago titled, “The Enigma of Reason”, where the authors persuasively argue that “reason” - far from being the evolutionary superpower we make it out to be - is deeply flawed and never objective. In fact, they believe what we call “reason” is simply one way of drawing inferences about the world around us. It’s far more instinctual than we like to think. It is driven by desire more than logic and we are far more likely to use “reason” to confirm our existing biases than we are to actually make decisions based on the evidence presented to us.

I thought about that book again as I read these words from Paul, “The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom but by God’s grace.” (2 Corinthians 1:12 CSB) God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. What human beings consider “wisdom” often results in all kinds of tragedy. Consider the “wisdom” of democracy. A system that too often elevates some of the least capable and most corruptible people who are willing to do anything to gain power. While it may be true that democracy as a system is better than any other human political system out there (and I believe this to be true), it too often fails because it is based on human wisdom. Consider the “wisdom” of a free market economy. A system where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer as everyone pursues their own economic self-interest. While it may be true that free markets are better than planned, controlled, or command economies (and I believe this to be true), they too often fail because they are based on human wisdom. Consider the “wisdom” of the sexual revolution. A movement begun in the 1960’s in the United States that has led to all kinds of sexual abuse, harassment, sexually transmitted diseases, the breakdown of families, rampant divorce, widespread pornography, etc. While it is true that every individual should be free to make their own choices regarding who they love (and I believe this to be true), the movement has clearly failed because it was based on human wisdom. The reality is human wisdom is often terrifying and tragic and deeply heartbreaking. It often results in deep loneliness, suffering, and pain. It should not surprise us as we pursue human wisdom that things only get worse not better. Rates of depression and suicide are on the rise. So are rates of reported mental illness. At what point do we stop and reflect on the fact that following human “wisdom” may not be the best path for human flourishing?

As we read in 1 Corinthians, Paul believes “the message of the cross is foolish to those who are perishing. But it is the power of God to us who are being saved. (1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB) This is not a triumphalistic statement but rather one written in tears. Paul surveys the landscape of his own culture and his heart breaks to see so many enslaved to their sinful desires. He spends his life trying to break their chains and set them free. He longs for the day when Christ will appear and all things will be made new. Until that day comes, he calls Christians to proclaim the “foolishness” of God. God has put to shame the wisdom of this world. The idea that God would give His life to save His people makes no human sense whatsoever. Why would God do such a thing? How in the world can this be just? Righteous? Even logical or rational? Furthermore, why would God gather His church from among the poor and powerless? Why does He use the weak to shame the strong? Why does He use the foolish to confound the wise? Why does He use those who’ve been despised to expose the vanity and pride of our world?

He does it for His glory. He does it in order to make His glory known. No one can take credit for what God has done. Why would anyone even want to? God left heaven and came to earth. Relinquished all His power and authority in order to become a human being. He humbled Himself in obedience to the point of death. Even death on a cross. The worst and most shameful death ever devised by the wisdom of man. Because Christ embraced this descent, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above every name. And now He calls those who follow Christ to walk the same path.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 3-4, Psalms 150

Wise Living

Readings for today: Proverbs 1-3, Psalms 148

Life fundamentally boils down to a choice. Will we follow our ways or will we follow God’s ways? Will we live according to our own wisdom or will we live according to God’s wisdom? Tragically, humanity seems “hell-bent” on following her own wisdom which is why for every step forward, we seem to take two steps back. Yes, we’ve made incredible progress technologically but we’ve made little to no progress when it comes to character. Corruption, deceit, selfishness, violence, greed, etc. are as prevalent as ever. We attack, dehumanize, demonize, and disparage those with whom we disagree. We divide, split, and fracture so easily, cutting off relationships one after the other. We have met the enemy and he is us. He or she is the person looking back at us in the mirror. Generation after generation seems locked on an endless cycle of “wash, rinse, repeat.”

Now imagine I told you there was a book you could read that would teach you how to live righteously? How to live with justice and integrity? How to gain knowledge and understanding in our world? Would you want to read it? Memorize it? Put it into practice? I imagine most of us would say, “Of course!” Well, there is such a book. It’s called Proverbs and it contains the sayings of one of the wisest people to have ever lived. King Solomon wrote these words with the hope that his children - and really all God’s children - would follow them and put them into practice. He wanted God’s people to chart a different course in this world than the rest of humanity. He understood that the world’s ways were played out. The best of human wisdom had failed. People needed something more and thankfully, God was there to provide. Listen to how he states the purpose of the book, “For learning wisdom and discipline; for understanding insightful sayings; for receiving prudent instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity; for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man — let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance — for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Wisdom and discipline. These two things are in such short supply in our world which is why we find ourselves in such a mess. And God loves us too much to leave us in our broken condition so He sends His Spirit to inspire Solomon to write these words so we can learn wisdom and discipline and begin to live the way He designed us to live.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬) What does it mean to love God with all your heart? It means acknowledging Him in all our ways. It means submitting our entire lives to Him. It means surrendering all our wants, needs, and desires to Him and trusting Him to know what’s best for us. How do we do that? Here’s where Solomon gets very practical. He not only tells us what not to do but he tells us what to do as well. Don’t engage in violence and theft and dishonesty. Instead be a person of peace and contentment and integrity. Don’t seek to tear others down or slander another person’s character or entertain envy or jealousy. Instead seek the good of others, believe the best of others, and celebrate the success of others. As we put Solomon’s words into practice, we can be sure God will fulfill His promise to us. “The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous; He mocks those who mock but gives grace to the humble. The wise will inherit honor, but he holds up fools to dishonor.” (Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭33‬-‭35‬ ‭CSB)

Readings for tomorrow: Proverbs 4-6, Psalms 149 (No devotionals on Sundays)

The Search for Wisdom

Readings for today: Job 24-28, Psalms 141

Our world is awash in desire. Enslaved to feelings and emotions. Adrift in an ocean of chaos. How else to explain heartbreaking insanity that passes for truth these days? We reject any kind of sexual boundaries and are shocked when it leads to abuse, objectification, disease, and violence. We reject our bodies and are shocked when it leads to depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. We selfishly exploit the resources of the earth and are shocked when it leads to pollution and sickness and war. We refuse to repent over past oppressions and are shocked when it leads to ethnic conflict. We refuse to restrain our greed and are shocked when it leads to class warfare on a social and political stage. Our unwillingness and inability to follow the ways of Jesus leads us into all kinds of pain and suffering and heartache which we then turn around and try to pin on God.

Our world is filled with knowledge. We have so much knowledge we literally do not know what to do with it. So much information coming at us from every angle. The average person is inundated with well over a hundred emails every day. Not to mention texts. Phone calls. Social media interactions. A single issue of the New York Times contains more information than a person a hundred or so years ago might have learned in an entire year. The news is relentless. The fake news endless. Technology ubiquitous. We cannot escape. We cannot rest. And what has all this knowledge gained us? Rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Rising rates of fear, violence, and hate. All this in a world that is demonstrably improving with each passing year. Why? What are we missing? What is the source of our persistent discontent?

Wisdom is the key to fulfillment in life. But, sadly, we simply do not know the path to wisdom or we refuse to take it. Today’s reading from the Book of Job is on point. "Surely there is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the ground, and copper is smelted from ore. The miner uses a flint tool and turns up ore from the root of the mountains. He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eyes spot every treasure. He dams up the streams from flowing so that he may bring to light what is hidden. But where can wisdom be found, and where is understanding located? No one can know its value, since it cannot be found in the land of the living.” (Job‬ ‭28‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Human beings are capable of great things. We climb to the highest mountains. We delve in the depths of the earth. We’ve learned to fly. We’ve explored the bottom of the oceans. We know how to do so very much. But for all our strength and power and knowledge and ability, we have yet to find the path to wisdom. We didn’t find it on the mountaintops. We searched for it in vain in the trenches of the seas. Despite our vast wealth we could not find a vender who sold it.

Only God knows the path to wisdom. Only God knows how to take all of our knowledge and order it in such a way that it leads to blessing and human flourishing. “Where then does wisdom come from, and where is understanding located? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the sky. Abaddon and Death say, “We have heard news of it with our ears.” But God understands the way to wisdom, and he knows its location. He said to mankind, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.” (Job‬ ‭28‬:‭20‬-‭23‬, ‭28‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Fear the Lord. Submit to His ways. Surrender to His will. Let Him guide and direct your steps. This is the path to wisdom. God’s promise to those who follow Him is that He will lead us into green pastures and beside still waters. To places of peace where our souls will be restored. Job understands we cannot find these places on our own. We cannot get to these places in our own strength. Our knowledge is simply not enough. We must let God take us by the hand. We must trust God with our lives and our future. We must have faith that He knows best.

Readings for tomorrow: Job 29-31, Psalms 142 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Wisdom

Readings for today: 1 Kings 1-3, Psalms 94

“So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” ‭‭(1 Kings‬ ‭3:9 CSB‬)

We suffer today from a lack of discernment. We live in a post-truth world. Right and wrong are personally defined. There is no such thing as objectivity anymore. People do what is right in their own eyes. We call good “evil” and evil “good.” We have lost our way as a culture, as a society, and as a nation. And it isn’t just Christians who have come to this conclusion. In one of the strangest videos I’ve ever seen, noted atheist Richard Dawkins actually calls himself a “cultural Christian” and argues for a return to Christian values in the UK! Craziness! Sadly, events of recent years like the COVID pandemic have only accelerated our downward spiral. Political and cultural leaders from all sides of the aisle seem far more interested in leveraging the multiple crises we face to further their own ends. We no longer seem to have many adults in the room. People who will honestly and transparently and humbly lead us through what is an extremely challenging time. The results are deadly. Would that God would raise up a leader for us like Solomon!

Sadly, in a democratic system, you often get the leadership you deserve. If we are honest, our leaders are an extension of us. They are the embodiment of our basest desires and primal instincts. They are ruthless, calculating, greedy, corrupt…just like us but on a larger scale. You say, but I’m not that way! Are you so sure? Perhaps it’s a matter of scale. It was Lord Acton who once wrote, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I imagine many of us - given the right circumstances and opportunities and resources and influence - might find ourselves justifying all kinds of choices we might not otherwise make. This is the impact of sin in our lives and it is hard to resist. This is why the character of a leader matters. It’s why the heart of a leader is so important. Leaders who are humble and seek God, who are willing to acknowledge their mistakes and ask for forgiveness, will seek to serve rather than be served. They will seek to unite rather than divide. They will lead with honesty and integrity and the nation will be blessed. Leaders who are proud and arrogant, selfish and greedy, prone to violence and rage, will seek to serve themselves rather than others. They will use division to accumulate more and more power for themselves. They will lie and deceive routinely if it serves their ends and the nation will be cursed.

One of the things we will see as we read through the Kings is how the character of a leader shapes the nation. The fortunes of Israel rise or fall largely on the godliness of the kings who serve her. When godly kings are in power. Kings who are wise. Discerning. Those who know right from wrong and good from evil. Israel flourishes. When ungodly kings are in power. Kings who are corrupt. Foolish. Narcissistic. Those who could care less about right or wrong as long as they acquire more power. Israel falls. America is no different. Now, more than ever, we need godly leadership at the helm of our nation. Now, more than ever, the character of our leaders matters. May God raise up for us leaders like Solomon who know good from evil and can lead us with wisdom.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 4-7, Psalms 95

A Life of Wisdom

Readings for today: James 1-5

It’s been observed by many in our world today that we are inundated with knowledge. We have more information at our fingertips than ever before. There is more news in one edition of the New York Times than a person might have learned over a lifetime a hundred years ago. The news cycle is 24/7. The alerts to our phones come day and night. Twitter and other social media feeds keep us up to date on the latest stories. And yet, we seem more foolish than ever. We seem more ideologically driven than ever. We seem more partisan than ever. More outraged. More angry. More hateful. More knowledge obviously isn’t the answer.

What we need is wisdom. Wisdom helps us understand what to do with all the knowledge we have gained. It guides us as we seek to apply that knowledge to life’s challenges. It keeps us honest, forcing us to grapple with our blind spots and weaknesses. It prevents us from becoming puffed up with pride and arrogantly assuming we have all the answers. Wisdom is the key to living well in this world. Living for God in this world. And thankfully, the Book of James teaches us all we need to know about how to gain wisdom. Listen to his words again…

“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish plotting. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” (James‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭18‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

Real wisdom begins with a holy life. A life humbly submitted to God. A life lived in obedience to Him. A life characterized by love and grace and mercy and peace. It is a life marked by gentleness and dignity and respect and honor. It is a life that is focused on the good of others rather than the good of oneself. This is how God defines wisdom and this is how God also models wisdom Himself. Does He not offer us love and grace and mercy and peace? Does He not treat us with gentleness and dignity and respect and honor? Is He not focused on our good rather than His own? He is all these things and more which is what makes Him the “only wise God” as the great hymn once put it. And those who seek wisdom in this world will only find it as they seek to follow Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Galatians 1-3

Wisdom vs. Foolishness

Readings for today: Psalm 119:89-176

A few years ago I read a book that helped me parse the difference between wisdom and foolishness. Wisdom, according to the author, is when we see the truth and adjust our lives accordingly. Foolishness, on the other hand, is when we demand the truth adjust to our reality. To put it another way, wise people will meet the demands of life while foolish people will demand that life meet their demands. Wise people receive feedback when given, own their own performance, mistakes, and issues and take responsibility without externalizing blame or giving excuses. Foolish people become defensive very quickly when confronted, refuse to own their own shortcomings, and often externalize by blaming those around them. Wise people listen. Fools dismiss or ignore. 

Are you a wise or a foolish person? How would you know? Well, how do you feel as you read the words from Psalm 119? What happens internally when you consider the demands of God’s Law? Are you the kind of person who embraces God’s commandments, however imperfectly? Are they your delight? Do you find yourself seeking to bend your life in submission to what God has revealed in His Word? Or are you the kind of person who resists God’s laws? Dismisses them? Ignores them? Rationalizes away your sin? Are you a wise person or a fool? 

The Psalmist is clearly wise...

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life...”

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day...”

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

“Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”

”Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.”

“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭119:93, 97, 103-105, 111, 160‬)

The Psalmist loves God with all His heart which, by extension, means he loves God’s Law. Loves God’s commands. He seeks to do all he can to adjust his life to God’s will. His greatest desire is to live his life under God’s sovereign rule and authority. He makes no excuses for his sin. He doesn’t hide his shortcomings. He faces his failures honestly and transparently.

Sadly, so many in our culture today are fools. Rather than submit their lives to reality, they seek to bend reality to fit their lives. Sadly, this seems just as true for Christians as it is for those who do not yet know Christ. As the Apostle Paul says in Romans 10:2, they have a “zeal for God but not according to knowledge.” They say they love God but not in the way He deserves or demands. Instead, they “do what is right in their own eyes.” They bend God’s truth to their reality. They seek to make God’s Word null and void either through outright rejection, rationalization, or simple ignorance. They refuse to submit certain areas of their lives to His will and as a result, they live lives of quiet desperation. They are not evil people. They do not have bad intentions. They simply are misguided. As Paul says in Romans 1, “Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools...” (Romans‬ ‭1:21-22‬)

Let me be the first to say that this, at times, describes me. I am not immune. On some level and in certain seasons and in particular sets of circumstances throughout the course of my life, I have tried to bend God’s will to my own. I have tried to rationalize away my sin. I have tried to twist and turn God’s Law to make it fit my life. All to no avail. I have thrown myself against the will of God so many times and every time I broke. I surrendered. And with each surrender came greater wisdom. Not perfection. Wisdom. Self-knowledge. Self-understanding. Seeing myself for who I truly am, warts and all, and learning to trust God’s ways above my ways. God’s thoughts are more than my thoughts. God’s will is more than my feelings. This is what it means to be wise, friends. The fear of the Lord truly is the beginning of wisdom!

Readings for tomorrow: Song of Solomon 1:1-5:1

A God-Listening Heart

Readings for today: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72

Wisdom is a gift according to the Bible. It’s not something we can manufacture. It’s not something we can earn. It’s not something we can buy. It comes from one source. It is drawn from one well. The ancients put it like this - “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” I really like how Eugene Peterson describes it in the Message version as he translates this conversation between God and Solomon. “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?” (1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

A God-listening heart is the essence of wisdom. Seeking God. Hearing from God. Listening to God. Ultimately obeying God. This is what it means not only to learn wisdom but to walk in wisdom as well. After all, God’s ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts. He promises to do for us more than we can ever ask or imagine. His plans for us are more glorious than we could ever come up with on our own. So it makes perfect sense if we want to live with wisdom, we need to seek it from God. This is what makes Solomon’s request so amazing and worthy of emulation. Of all the things he could have asked for as he got started - military might, untold riches, etc. - Solomon was humble enough to recognize his weakness and his deep need for God’s guidance. He also understood the responsibility of his new role. He was being called to a life of service. Being king was not about him. It was about the people he served and his desire was to do that well. Of all the sons of David, this character trait seems unique to Solomon and it’s what makes him such a great king.

Again, I love how Peterson describes it, “God gave Solomon wisdom—the deepest of understanding and the largest of hearts. There was nothing beyond him, nothing he couldn’t handle. Solomon’s wisdom outclassed the vaunted wisdom of wise men of the East, outshone the famous wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, wiser than Heman, wiser than Calcol and Darda the sons of Mahol. He became famous among all the surrounding nations. He created 3,000 proverbs; his songs added up to 1,005. He knew all about plants, from the huge cedar that grows in Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows in the cracks of a wall. He understood everything about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. Sent by kings from all over the earth who had heard of his reputation, people came from far and near to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.” (1 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬-‭34‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

Do you have a “God-listening heart?” If God were to come to you and present the same offer He gave Solomon, how would you answer? Would you ask for wisdom or something else? The Book of James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him/her ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given.” (James‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬) How does one pray for wisdom? Let me encourage you to use the words of the Psalmist. Make them your own. For if we ask for wisdom and then act in wisdom, those we love and live among will truly be blessed. “Give the gift of wise rule to the king, O God, the gift of just rule to the crown prince. May he judge your people rightly, be honorable to your meek and lowly. Let the mountains give exuberant witness; shape the hills with the contours of right living. Please stand up for the poor, help the children of the needy, come down hard on the cruel tyrants. Outlast the sun, outlive the moon— age after age after age. Be rainfall on cut grass, earth-refreshing rain showers. Let righteousness burst into blossom and peace abound until the moon fades to nothing. Rule from sea to sea, from the River to the Rim.” (Psalms‬ ‭72‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

Readings for tomorrow: Psalm 119:89-176