Devotional: Got Wisdom?
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)
You probably recall the “Got Milk?” advertisements. Sponsored by the dairy industry, these clever commercials and print ads usually featured a smiling face wearing a classic milk mustache. The idea behind the “Got Milk?” campaign was to push milk to the top of the list of America’s preferred beverages. When celebrities began appearing in the ads, the milk mustache became a status symbol of sorts, implying that someone with white liquid on their upper lip must be healthier, sexier, and perhaps wiser than people drinking anything else.
When the campaign peaked in the 1990s, you may have noticed others trying to ride the coattails of this simple but powerful message. Got Books? Got Faith? Got a Clue? Even Christian retailers got in on the act, selling many thousands of “Got Jesus?” t-shirts and bumper stickers.
I don’t know if “Got Wisdom?” ever made it onto a t-shirt, but it’s an important question for us to consider.
When it comes to wisdom, James tells us that there’s plenty available and that God loves to pass it out generously to those who simply ask. I don’t know about you, but I want to be showered with as much love, peace, and wisdom as He thinks I can handle. At the same time, however, I need to be just as interested in His other blessings, even if they sometimes appear in disguise. After all, James tells us, that the life of every Christian will include trials of various kinds (James 1:2). Isn’t it interesting that he talks about suffering and the testing of our faith just a few verses before he writes that wisdom is available in abundant supply?
Of course, the book of Proverbs is chock-full of instructions to seek out and gain wisdom. This journey of discovery, obedience, and ultimate blessing begins with a healthy and reverent fear of God (Proverbs 9:10). I encourage you to do a word search and see how many times and places you can find “wisdom” in the Bible. Think of it as a treasure hunt. After all, wisdom is described as being more valuable than gold and jewels (Proverbs 8:11, 19:10).
So I ask you: Got Wisdom? The more you get, the more you’ll want. So take God at His word and ask. He gives liberally to anyone who asks.
Dear Father in heaven, I want wisdom, true wisdom, your wisdom. I believe your Word when you say that all I need to receive this blessed gift is to ask. So with as much humility and faith as I can muster, I am asking. Shower me with wisdom! Give me as much wisdom, knowledge, and understanding as I can handle. And let my words and actions be full of wisdom that brings glory to you and you alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Walking by faith and enjoying the homeschooling adventure of a lifetime!
© 2017 Davis Carman
Apologia.com
If you enjoyed this devotional by Davis Carman, enjoy reading his devotional entitled Psalm 37.
Davis is the president of Apologia Educational Ministries, the #1 publisher of Creation-based science and Bible curriculum. He is the author of four illustrated children’s books designed to help kids learn a biblical worldview. He believes that if there was ever a time to homeschool, it is now!
Davis’s four books include: Good Morning, God, based on Deuteronomy 6, A Light for My Path, an ABC book based on Psalm 119, In the Beginning, based on the Creation account in Genesis, and Psalms to Know Early.