Over the years, I developed a habit of starting most of my prayers in a similar fashion. Almost without thinking, I would pray, “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Please give me the wisdom and strength I need to do whatever it is you have for me to do.”
This isn’t a bad way to start a prayer, but something I recently read in scripture caused me to stop and think about it more deeply. Specifically, it caused me to reflect on the part where I ask God for wisdom.
An unexpected find.
I was reading through Job. The book tells of the awful tragedies Job endured, and a large part of the book is dialogue: first between Job and his friends, and finally between Job and God.
But chapter 28 takes a surprising break from the story. In my Bible (NIV), at the head of chapter 28, it says: Interlude: Where Wisdom Is Found. I thought this was strange, and it really made me sit up and pay attention. I encourage you to take a couple of minutes right now and read Job 28.
Beyond compare.
Job 28 reminds us that men will go to great lengths to acquire precious things. They will dig and drill and mine deep into the earth to acquire rare gems. They will sweat and bleed for silver and gold. Wisdom is said to be more valuable than these things, but do we prize it as such? Do we pursue it with the same fervor? “Not I,” I thought.
It dawned on me as I read these verses that I did not fully appreciate the value of wisdom! I had been casually, almost flippantly asking God for wisdom. I wondered, “why would God give me something of such great worth if I don’t truly understand or appreciate its value?”
Imagine a king with his very young child. The toddler asks their father for a giant ruby or diamond. Is the king going to hand it over? Of course not! Not because he doesn’t love the child, but because the child doesn’t comprehend the value of what they are asking for. The child can’t make proper use of it. They’re not ready.
A new approach.
I still ask God for wisdom, and it’s important to do so. The Bible says:
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5
But now that I have a better grasp of what I’m asking for, I ask in a different way. I ask God to help me grow and mature so that I can make use of the wisdom He gives me. I don’t want to be like a child that admires a ruby because of its sparkle and then carelessly sets it aside. Instead, I want to be a responsible prince that accepts the King’s ruby and then uses it for His glory.
How about you? What value do you ascribe to wisdom? Are you ready to make use of the wisdom God gives you?
Loved this! I didn’t remember that break in 28 of Job! Thank you for sharing this!