Spiritual requirements for gaining wisdom:

THE WISDOM OF GOD

God in His wisdom formed the heavens and earth.

He carved out a place for the seas to reside.

The mountains speak of His glory

and the valleys tell of the depth of His eternal love.

Nothing is or has been created apart from the wisdom of God.

He is the beginning and the end of all things–the Alpha and the Omega.

He set each star in its place.

The sky is clothed with His glory

and the night abides in His mercy and grace.

He created boundaries for the land to follow

and commands how far each wave of the sea can flow.

The dust of the earth is evidence of His advent and in the fullness of time

He created a way for us to experience His love for all eternity.

God made the decision to love us even before His hands shaped the foundation of this world. In wisdom, He knew our deepest need even before it existed. It was a need for a Savior.

Have you ever wondered why God chose to come to earth as a baby–helpless and seemingly unprotected? The answer lies within His wisdom and desire for you to know and experience His intimate love. The apostle Paul writes, "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons [and daughters] through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:4-5).

While the Law of God demands payment for sin, God knew that the payment was far too great for us. Only God in His infinite wisdom is capable of providing the atonement needed to eradicate our sin.

Author and theologian Henry Thiessen writes, "[Jesus] became man in order to confirm the promises made to the fathers [of Israel] and to show mercy to the Gentiles ( Romans 15:8-12). Beginning with the promise in Genesis 3:15 and continuing through the Old Testament, God at various times promised to send His Son into the world. Thus Isaiah says, 'For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us'(Isaiah 9:6)."

At the time of Christ’s birth, many people did not believe they needed a Savior. The Romans certainly did not believe in God. They worshiped many gods. The Gentiles were not looking for a Savior. Their god was their own selfish appetites. The result of their actions led to paganism. Even the Jews, who longed for deliverance from Roman rule, did not embrace the Messiah that God provided. They wanted a military king–a man who would free them from Roman oppression while restoring the nation of Israel to full authority.

However, God chose a better way for salvation to come to mankind. Instead of the royal robes of human power and position, salvation came to earth wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Many may look at this event and wonder how this could be wisdom’s finest hour, but it is.

God says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways . . . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Without hesitation, God chose the arms of a virgin to hold His beloved Son. We will never understand fully the mind of God. At times, He provides small glimpses of His glory. (Isaiah 6:1-5) We can pray and even hear His voice speaking through the Holy Spirit who lives inside each believer. But on this side of heaven, the full scope of God’s wisdom is not something we can comprehend. If we could, there would be no need for faith, and faith is the cornerstone to a vibrant, personal relationship with God.

By faith we believe that God loves us. By faith we give ourselves to Him, and by faith we follow Him. Like Abraham, we go forward trusting the One who is leading us. (Hebrews 11:8) We trust His wisdom even when life brims with feelings of rejection and difficulty because time and the study of His Word have taught us that His wisdom is best, and nothing can compare to the love He has for us.

You can take every burden to God. You do not have to bear it alone. Years ago one of my directors shared with our staff how his youngest daughter insisted on tying her own shoes. He offered his help, but she flatly refused. Later, while he was standing outside his daughter's bedroom door, he heard her fall back on her bed and in exhaustion say: "God, you are going to have to help me. I can't do it."

Christ did not come to encourage the wisdom of man. In fact, He came to confound the wise. He tells us, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, ‘He is the One who catches the wise in their craftiness'; and again, ‘The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that they are useless" (1 Corinthians 3:19-20). We need God and, most of all, we need His wisdom for our lives.

If it were our choice, we would have found another way to redeem mankind. Never would we have sent our son to such a spiritually cold and calculating environment. But God did not ask man what was best.

In wisdom, He knew exactly what He wanted to do, and He is still doing it today. When we think life is out of order and beyond redemption, we must remember God is sovereign. He is in control, and He has a plan not only for this world but also for each of us.

Nothing is accidental with God. The timing of Christ's birth was perfect. The place of His birth was handpicked by the same God who formed the heavens and loves you. Have you ever found yourself questioning God’s wisdom?

Do you wonder if He has made a mistake, especially when sorrow overtakes you? He never makes mistakes. There will be times when you rush ahead of Him, or make choices that are not the best. You may suffer the consequences of your decisions, but you can be sure that when you turn to God, He will embrace you. His wisdom will guide you and His grace will be as a royal robe of hope and encouragement.

Paul writes, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" (Romans 11:33). More than likely, you never would have chosen a manger in which to lay your newborn child. Nor would you have rushed to announce his birth to a band of ragtag shepherds, but God did. He had a greater purpose in mind than identifying with the royalty of this world.

At Christmas, as you seek to do the best and be the best, make sure that you do not miss a divine blessing–the wisdom of God revealed to all mankind.

• Jesus came as a baby to teach you how to trust. Imagine what it felt like to look up for the first time through newborn eyes into the face of your earthly mother. She is young, but she is committed to loving your heavenly Father. You squint at the candle's light that your earthly father has placed near your straw-filled bed.

Up until this point, the only light you have known has been the brilliance of heaven’s glow. Now the light of earth enshrouds you. You close your eyes and sleep because you know your heavenly Father's plan is perfect. Faith in the eternal plan of God was the only way Jesus could begin His earthly life.

• Jesus came as the bread of life. Suddenly, all the eyes of creation were focused on one town–Bethlehem, which means the house of bread. God in His wisdom chose this place for His Son to be born. After the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus proclaimed, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst" (John 6:35).

• Jesus came to ordinary men and women. "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10). The shepherds were common men. They also were viewed as outcasts. The Jews avoided them because they worked with unclean animals and were, therefore, ceremonially unclean. But God does not look on the outward appearance of man. He looks at the heart. Jesus did not come to walk among kings and princes; He came to you and me. Therefore, the angel’s heavenly birth announcement was meant for people like you.

• Jesus came to teach you how to live. Obedience to God is a foundational principle. When you make a choice to obey God, you position yourself for blessing. Following Christ is a costly decision, but the dividends are eternal.

• Jesus loves you and always has time and a place for you. God will never turn you away. Though there was no room for Mary and Joseph at the inn, God in His mercy has a place in His heart reserved for you. Access is granted no matter what has happened in your past. All He asks for you is that you acknowledge your sin and your need for His Son.

• Jesus came so that you might have eternal life. There is no way to celebrate the birth of Christ without celebrating His death and resurrection. Ultimately, Jesus took your place on Calvary's Cross.

It was His gracious, loving desire to do the Father’s will. Thousands of years later, you and I still worship the Christ child–Jehovah's deliverer who was born to live and die for the sins of all men and women. —By Dr.Charles F. Stanley

When Wisdom Comes

It is not necessary to struggle through bad choices in life; seek the Lord, and He will provide all you need to make godly decisions.

Are you struggling with a decision in which both choices seem profitable? Have you ever faced crossroads in your life at which you wonder how you got to such a point? If you desire to know that your decisions and actions are right, there is hope. God is the only Source of wisdom. He alone knows the path He wants you to take, and He alone can guide You there.

It's sometimes easy to persuade yourself that the right decision will "just make sense" or just fall into your lap. This is a very risky way to live your life because God has His own ways, which are different from ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Living wisely can not be founded on our own understanding; it must be rooted in the Lord. (Proverbs 3:5)

The only way to gain true wisdom is to seek the Lord. Wisdom is necessary in all aspects of life: in difficult times and in good times. It is easy to squander a blessing from God by not walking wisely. That is why it’s imperative to stay close to God through prayer, study of His Word, obedience of His principles, and knowing how He works in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

As you search for wisdom in decision-making, you may receive advice from other believers. God can use others to share His will with you. However, it is crucial that you measure all that you hear—whether from friendly advice or from a sermon—against God's Word.

It is crucial that you pour over the Scriptures as you seek the Lord. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The Word is identical to God. According to Psalm 119:105, the Bible is the lamp for your feet and the light of your path. Ask God to illuminate His Word to you, to share His mind and His heart with you so that you will walk wisely through life. Every decision you make, no matter how small, must be grounded in God's wisdom.

As you seek God's guidance in every area—and every decision—of your life, it is appropriate to meditate on the following questions:

Will the course considered lead a fellow Christian to sin by your example? 1 Corinthians 8:13 says, "Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble."

Will the action provide strength and encouragement to your own life? 1 Corinthians 6:12 says, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 10:23 continues this thought by adding, " . . . but not all things edify."

Will the action ultimately glorify God? Says, "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

When searching for answers, we often hope that a brick will hit us in the head to inform us of God's desire. If you feel as though you’ve earnestly sought the Lord and still have no clear direction, take heart. If you're spending time with God, seeking His will with pure motives, studying the Bible, and obeying Him, He will show you. He may want you to wait out your wisdom. Sometimes God allows us to experience times of waiting so that He can diffuse us of our own misconceptions, false beliefs, and expectations. Remember that God is sovereign, and He loves you more than anyone else ever could. Relish in the waiting times because He uses them to draw you near to Him. And when you draw near to Him, He promises to draw near to you! ( James 4:8) He desires you to have His discernment more than you do. So trust in James 1:5-6, in which God promises liberal wisdom without reproach to all who ask.—In Touch Ministries

Nature Reveals God's Wisdom

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Wisdom enables us to understand reality. Through wisdom we have discovered a set of scientific laws that elegantly express reality in the language of mathematics. Whenever man learns the logic of the universe, man is (in essence) "thinking God's thoughts after Him." A correct "understanding" of understanding, therefore, is that we humans discover (and implement) wisdom; we do not invent it.

In particular, the cause of our universe coming into being, and of its continuing to operate as it does, is a dynamic display of the Creator's wisdom, some of which we can scientifically discover and understand. When we do, it is like walking in the footprints of someone who previously walked through a snowdrift.

The unfathomable amount of applied knowledge (wisdom) that was used to invent the universe, and to pre-program its interactive workings, is a source of beyond-the-imagination wonder (omniscience?). David the psalmist asked, in light of the stupendous power and quantity displayed in the heavens, "what is man," that God is mindful of him? (Psalm 8:3-4).

How could a creature such as a human begin to comprehend the wisdom built into the interactive universe? To the extent that we humans have any wisdom at all, much less the wisdom necessary to understand a meaningful amount of the universe's workings, our understanding is itself more amazing than the physics of the universe! For how can an immaterial mind, residing inside a "bone-house" human body made of water and other constituent elements of the earth, comprehend anything?

As discussed in the Cause and Effect Section, http://www.icr.org/triune/ it is only by God's creative grace that human creatures like us can think any thoughts at all, much less thoughts that are logical and analytical enough to be called "scientific." Because God's wisdom is displayed in the universe itself, and also in our human ability to comprehend that universe, we owe our great Creator-God an ongoing debt of creaturely thanksgiving.— Insttute for Creation Research