Prayer – the Christians’ breath – James 5v13-20

If only we would be conscious of the power locked up in prayer, that with prayer, the deepest of God is accessible – his grace, mercy, his power, His presence – then we will pray more, we will praise him for our joys, praise him for his power, his sovereignty, His glory, praise him for who he is.  For praise is prayer that acknowledges God for God not for His benefits.

Brethren, oh  that we will heed the call to prayer, the call to breathe the breath of God!  Let us heed Paul’s admonition to  Christians to DEVOTE themselves to prayer. (Col. 4v2)

Let us pray when harassed, praise Him when happy, pray alone, pray as a group, pray when you can not pray, pray for one another and let us solicit prayers from elders!

Anyone can pray – be you a pastor, a layman, an old man, a baby in Christ, breathe the breath of prayer, talk to God, praise God and thank God.  Enjoy the fellowship of His presence.  Touch the throne of grace through and by prayer and praise.

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY

• Pray without ceasing (1Thess 5v17)
• Pray in the morning (Ps 5v3)
• Pray in the night and throughout the night (Ps 63v6)
• Develop  prayer habits (Dan 6v10, Ps 130)
•  Follow the example of the Lord in prayer

Lord Jesus, you have taught me so much about prayer, Father, I desire to have the discipline of prayer.  Help me oh God.  AMEN.

Living in the light of the second coming – James 5 v7-12

The Lord’s coming is near, “the Judge is standing at the door”(v9).  He comes now not as the Saviour but as the Judge.  This great thought of the eminence of the Lord’s coming should influence our daily personal conduct in various ways including:

1. Practicing the virtue of patience (v7-8). Because the appointment with the King is around the corner, and since we have the full assurance of our adoption as sons, our appointment to the King’s court and given the expectation of all the benefits that go with this induction ceremony, we must practice the virtue of patience, – waiting for His timing – waiting in expectant hope not grudgingly glancing every now and then at the time.  Let us learn from the earthly kingdom!  Even ministers and high ranking government officials wait endlessly for their appointment with the Head of State. Man, please develop and sustain a positive attitude to the Lord’s timing, He is putting final touches to the mansion he had gone to prepare and soon will be on His way back to take you home. He is preparing you for the last super, He is preparing you for eternal service, He is bidding His time in glory and compassion.
2. Stay Focus on the Goal (v9). Do not let your attention be diverted to the shortcomings of fellow travelers as this has the effect of diverting your attention from what really matters – the Big day – remember the day would come unannounced.  What would a father do who walks in to the house and finds his children fighting? Any thought of celebration would give way to judgement, settlement of the matter and possibly discipline.  Father, may I never be an instrument of spoiling the arrival party through quarrelling.
3. Press on towards the finishing line (v11). PERSEVERE despite the suffering, the pains and the obstacles.  Do not give up, the end is at sight, the reward of a WELL DONE is around the corner, the inheritance of the Kingdom of light would soon be revealed. Man, persevere.  Fill your mind with the mercy and compassion of the Lord. Draw energy from the presence, inside, of the Holy Spirit of power (2 Cor. 1v22)
4. Let your word be your bond in all facets of life (v12). Avoid being condemned by what you say, by the words that come out of your mouth. Think of Job and be silent.

Lord, help me to saturate myself with your word. Let my eyes (like job) see you in your greatness. Let my eyes see me in my despicable state and fill me with a heart of daily repentance and the assurance of your salvation (Job 42 v1-6). This I pray through Jesus Christ my Lord.  AMEN.

Managing materialism – James 4v13 – 5v6

The problem with materialism is that the pull is so strong that whether before having it (the hope of having it) or with its actual possession, it has the capacity to take over the control of and even destroy the person when it is not put in its place and managed to size. The over powering desire to acquire material wealth James says (James 4v13-16) loses sight of the fact that:

1. Life is short and transient – just like a mist (v14) and what a tragedy to spend this scarce resource searching for and  preparing for what would not last.
2. Man has no hold on tomorrow  (v13). We either vanish like a mist while in pursuit of wealth or we get there and the wealth vanishes due to factors such as poor choices and decisions made,  natural disasters, economic downturn etc – factors beyond and out of our control.
3. Even when we acquire it, it is still temporary – it corrodes, disappears and therefore stored up at the risk of the owner (James 5v1-6 )

The most effective way to manage materialism therefore is:

1.  Subject your attitudes and your plans to the will of God (4v15), then when it pleases Him to entrust it to your hand you would have the right frame of mind to manage it as a trust – you would be faithful (1 Cor 4v2).
2. Accept materialism with all humility instead of boasting and bragging about it (v16).  He is a fool who arrogates to himself an achievement that was given him.
3. Do not get so emotionally wrapped up in it. David’s advice is “though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.  (Ps. 62v10b).
4. Do not store it up here, invest it in heaven “where neither moth can destroy, nor thieves steal it and where it would not deteriorate in value due to corrosion or natural forces” (Matt 6v19-21). It is said that you can not carry your wealth to heaven as accompanied luggage but you can send it ahead! Remember, where your treasure is there your mind would be also (Matt. 6v21).

Father, thank you for the privilege to be entrusted with life and resources.  Help me to be a faithful manager in Jesus name.  AMEN.

Steps to living a life of victory – James 4 v 1-12

How often I have resolved to live a life that pleases my Lord and Master Jesus Christ and same day, same period I end up engaging in sins that are so repulsive that even me I am stunned and I marvel at the grace and mercy of the Lord that lifts me up from the miry clay of that defeat.  How can we enjoy or experience a consistent life of victory in our daily living? James puts forwards the reasons for defeat and the conditions for victory.

Reasons for living a life of defeat

1. Living a self centered life (v1-3).  The only thing that matters is I, me and myself – doing whatever it takes to gratify one’s desires even if it means strive, quarrel, killing and praying (even if the act is presumed to be noble).
2. Friendship with the world (v4-6). James says “Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (v4) period! Amos 3v3 says two can not walk together unless they be agreed! When we have our lives in conformity with the standards of the world, we cheat on God, on Jesus Christ our lover, on His Holy Spirit that dwells in us and it can only be a life of defeat.  Not only will the environment (the world) overwhelm us but the Spirit in us, in holy jealousy makes it uncomfortable for us to feel at home in such an environment.
3. Pride (v6). Pride lifts up one’s self to be the reference point and in the process positions oneself in direct opposition to God and in all such battles, God comes out the winner;
4. Self-righteousness (v11-12). Defeat is guaranteed as long as the focus of the battle is diverted from the world to one another – to fellow Christians, often (but erroneously) on the premise that we are being one another’s keepers!  If our priority is to ensure that the brother is more christian than he is, we leave ourselves exposed for the enemy’s attack.  Matt 7v1-5 exposes what happen when our preoccupation is sitting in judgement over brothers instead of working on our personal relationship with God.

To live a life of victory, therefore, the following conditions must be met:

1. Submission of the control of  life to God (v7).  This implies living a life that is in line with His revealed will for our individual lives.  For this purpose He has installed His Holy Spirit in us to reveal His will for each and every situation
2. Resist the devil (v7).  If sufficiently sensitive to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit we can recognise the attacks of the devil and resist it with the full armour of God as described in Eph. 6 v10-17. Note that a form of resisting the devil and all his suggestion may involve fleeing the situations that would lead to defeat (1 Tim. 6v11) – flee the evil desires of youth.
3. Live in constant communion with God (v8).  James encourages us to come near to God and He will come near to us! Paul encourages constant prayer (Eph. 6v18-20), knowing and meditating on God’s word (Jos. 1v8, Col. 3v16) and living by the spirit (Gal 5v16).
4. Living a life of Humility (v10). Deferring to the Lord, the control of the totality of life.

Let my honour come from the Lord. Let the overpowering desire in me be to please Him, my Saviour, my commanding officer (2 Tim. 2v1-8).  My motivation for living should be to please Him – That is victory!! AMEN.

Wisdom – the practical demonstration of true religion – James 3v13-18

If true religion is understood as the unconditional and unrestrained love for God and for the fellowman, wisdom is the vehicle that translates such deep personal relationships into recognisable actions. It gives recognisable form to the love for God and fellowman and communicates the love in practical terms. Wisdom is therefore only recognisable by its action.

Salient features of wisdom include the following:

1. It is never written on the foreheads or carried on one’s self but experienced by its actions. Hence James said that “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (v13).
2. It is attainable by all. Wisdom is not inborn, inherited or an instinct. Proverbs 1v7 announces it as available to all – that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom! Unfortunately, there is no course work in any institution of higher learning that teaches wisdom. James says it is a gift of God that is there for the asking “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1v5) It is not the preserve of a few. It is available for all who care to embrace her.  Wisdom acquired by one does not diminish the stock of wisdom available for others. It is there in inexhaustible supply, like the oxygen we breathe, to be embraced and appropriated by who ever so desires.
3. There is no limit to the amount of wisdom that can be acquired. Its frontier is expandable. Note the encouragement from the preacher:  “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Prov.1v5).

How to acquire wisdom.  Wisdom can be acquired as follows:

1. From God by just asking. James was clear on this “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1v5). Solomon acquired all his wisdom by asking God to so endow him with it to be used to carry out God’s assignment. He prayed “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (2 Chron.1v5) and God’s answer “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have” (2 Chron.1v11-12).
2. Fear of the Lord. Solomon’s conclusion is “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov.9v10). A reverential fear of the Lord and a consuming passion to know Him, please Him and dwell ‘under the shadow of His wings’ can only result in the assimilation of this character trait of the Most High Himself.
3. A lifelong commitment to being a bible student. There is no other way to get to know God better and in the process reflect the image of His son as to spend time in His word. David said “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts” (Ps.119v97-100).
4. The company you keep. Solomon also observed that “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Prov.13v20) Paul’s observation to the Corinthians communicates the same point “Do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character” (1 Cor.15v29).

Lord I pray that you will endow me with wisdom to enable me know and do your will all the days of my life. This I pray through the only wise God, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

Taming the tongue – the acid test of true religion – James 3v1-12

James said that “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (Jam.1v26). He proceeds in the third chapter to making an indisputable statement that “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check” (v2).

F.B Meyer, an English pastor (1847 – 1929), explores the areas we often sin with regard to the use of our tongues some of which, on the face it, appear very religious and credible. Hear him:

“The tongue boasts great things. We are all apt to be vain, boastful, exaggerated. We contrive to focus attention on our own words and deeds; even in delivering God’s message we manage to let it be seen that we have a clearer insight into truth or a closer familiarity with God than our fellows.

“We break the law of courtesy, and become harsh, insolent, and uncivil; or the law of purity, and repeat stories that leave a stain; or the law of truth, and practice insincerity; or the law of kindness, and are harsh towards those who are beneath us in station. Or in our desire to stand well with others we are guilty of flattery or servility.

“We disparage other workers; compliment them to their faces and disparage them behind their backs. Alas for us! How great we need to offer the prayer of the psalmist: ‘Set guard over my mouth, O Lord’”

How can we succeed in taming the tongue, this powerful asset that has the greatest capacity for good and evil? There are clear instructions from the best manual ever put together:

1. Regenerate and renew the source of its power. The Lord Jesus Christ taught that “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Lk.6v45). Hence Paul advised the Colossians “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col.3v16-17). So in simple terms, stuff your heart with the word of God, the things that delight the heart of God and out of that overflow will come through your mouth, words that are always full of grace and seasoned with salt, words that heal, encourage and build rather than those that disparage, put down and destroy, words that are full of praises and thanksgiving.  Furthermore, we are encouraged to always think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things” (Phil.4v8) and as we think in our hearts, the overflow will positively influence our speech. The summary therefore is that we can only restructure the source by substitution rather than by sheer will power.
2. Pray for divine control.  David’s prayer should be our daily prayer “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps.141v3). When God touched the lips of Jeremiah his communication was transformed and no circumstance was able to pollute the word of God in his mouth.
3. Exercise personal control. We must heed James’ advise in chapter one “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (1v19). Solomon observed that “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Prov.10v19). Father, teach us the discipline of silence!

It is amazing the good that can come out of a tamed tongue!  Some of these are:

1. It guarantees an enjoyable long life “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies” (Ps. 34v12-13). Solomon observed that “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment” (Prov.12v19).
2. It guarantees the fellowship of His presence. “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbour no wrong  and casts no slur on his fellowman”(Ps. 15v1-3).
3. It brings healing. “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Prov.12v18). Solomon further proceeded to observe that “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (Prov.15v4).
4. It protects from danger. Solomon said that “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity” (Prov.21v23).

Lord, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Ps. 19v14). Amen.

Understanding the relationship between faith and works – James 2v14-26

In man’s conduct of true religion, there are usually two erroneous expression of the best way to enter into and sustain a relationship with God:

1.  There are those who believe in working their way into a close relationship with Him, thus the harder they work, the more certain the relationship both here and in the hereafter – at least so they think! They presume that the Almighty keeps a daily ledger of our actions and as far as the positive actions outweigh the not-so-good ones, things will be ok and eternal rest or (Aljena) is guaranteed. Sadly, the simple commentary is that “… all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isa.64v4) Therefore when you combine the ones perceived good with the not-so-good, the overall assessment is negative and insufficient to earn us the friendship of God. Man therefore can not attain to the standard set by God for an effective relationship by self effort expressed in works. We cannot earn His friendship by works. In short, we cannot buy our way into His heart however hard we may try and however religious our actions may be. Hear the Lord’s reply to the persons who did so many things including miracles in His name “Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”(Mat.7v19).
2. Secondly, there are those who hold firmly to the teaching that relationship with God is solely by grace as free gift that can never be earned, that only faith in God is what matters. Their favourite passage is Paul’s explanation of salvation to the Ephesians “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–  not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph.2v8-9). James’ verdict is that that also is self deception and therefore  foolish, that faith standing alone is dead and useless.

The reality therefore is that faith and works are two inseparable couples that compliment each other, that complete and give meaning to each other. Essentially that one is useless and meaningless without the other. It is of note that everyone listed in the Faith Hall of Fame qualified for listing based on what they did because of their faith. We are told that they  “ through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated– the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains and in caves and holes in the ground” (Heb11v33-38).

One will do well therefore to reflect on the observations of James with regard to the relationship between the two namely that:

1. Faith without works is dead (v17,26) That actions bring to life the expressions of faith we have in God.
2. Faith without works is useless (v20)
3. Faith and works work together to complement each other (v22) – that actions complete faith. Actions transport faith to the point of reward.

In simple terms therefore, faith hears the word  of God – be it a promise, a command or an instruction – and acts on it even if it does not make sense or seem rational but simply because God said so and God honours the act with the reward of His friendship imputing righteousness on the person. Indeed, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb. 11v6)

Father, I desire to have the privilege of your friendship like Abraham. Give me the enablement to daily back up my faith with action through the power of your indwelling Holy Spirit. Amen

 

Understanding the practical aspect of true religion – James 2v1-13

As discussed previously, there are two aspects of  true religion . First is the love of God with our whole being – heart, soul and strength (Mat. 22v37-38), – and the second is the love of the neighbour as self Matt22v39) and which James refers to as the royal law. John said that the love of neighbour whom we can see is a vivid and  true measure of our love for God. He said “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen”(1 John 4v20). It is therefore important for us to understand the full extent of the royal law since James says that “whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it”(v10).

The royal law says that we should love our fellow man as we love ourselves irrespective of status, tribe, religion or creed. One of the greatest blights on true religion is therefore the tendency to rank people and related to them based on factors other than love – a discrimination against the underdog and the less privileged – what James call, favouritism. The sad aspect of it is that it is as rife in the gathering of believers as it is in any normal worldly gathering.

Favouritism is not against giving of recognition, honour and respect to those that it is due. Even the bible teaches that we should “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor”(Rom.13v5). Favouritism, therefore, is the denying of what is due based on one’s perceived low estate as compared with somebody else. It is the use of external factors  as a measure of significance rather than God’s standards. In whichever way we may look at it, James says that favouritism is sin (v9) and however normal it may look, it falls foal of God’s law and qualifies for treatment as God treats all sins – Judgement!

Thank God for “mercy [which] triumphs over judgement” (v13). We must approach the throne of grace daily to obtain grace and mercy which we so desperately need in our relationship with fellow men!

Lord, I pray that you align my vision and heart to yours, to see as you see – the real man rather than the external presentations of the man – and help me to love my fellow man as you love  man – the love that was demonstrated while we were yet sinners and undeserving (Rom 5v8) which brought down to earth your one and only son , my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Understanding true religion – James 1v19-27

True religion is not necessarily the conspicuous display of piety or the visible acts of charity or activities and ceremonies that mark out a religious man. It is not man’s attempt to reach God or earn His approval by self effort. True religion refers to man’s unequivocal response to the revealed will of God concerning the terms that govern our relationship with Him. It is therefore a response to God based on a consuming desire to know Him and please Him. It is summarised in Moses’ instruction to the Israelites “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?”(Deut. 10v12-13). Prophet Micah summarised the sole purpose of man. He said “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic. 6v8).

 True religion is a fear of the Lord which prompts in the believer to develop and engage in attitudes and actions that touch the life of others with the sole purpose of generating glory to God. It is not entered into in a flash or at a specific time like salvation. One grows in true religion as one deepens in one’s relationship with the Lord and grows in Christlikeness becoming like Him from one level of glory to another (2 Cor.3v18).

 The quality of true religion  is constantly being tested by onslaught of trials intended to refined and fine tune to bring out the best of glow in our reflection of His glory. Thus James advises to count it pure joy when we experience circumstances and situations that test the quality of our religion (v2).

 True religion  can easily be blighted by personal character traits that, if not constantly and consistently managed, will be tantamount to self deception. The three areas of such deceptions are the control over our emotions, our response to what we hear and the management of  our tongues.

• The control over our emotions (v19-20). Anger, however defined, is one of the greatest blights over our attempt to walk closely with and please God because it actually puts self  rather than God at the centre of one’s life.  Anger is a basic self deception because “man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (v20). The Lord Jesus warns that “anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement” (Mat. 5v22) and Paul’s advise to the Colossians is instructive: “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips…..since you …..  have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Col.3v 8-10). When pushed to be angry, his injunction is “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Eph.4v26). This is because sin gets in the way of our relationship with God since God is so holy he does not set His eyes on sin or inhabit anything filthy.

• Response to what we hear (v22). James gives two clear advices – to be quick to hear and act upon what we hear! So many people are genuinely convinced that they become more religious as they spend more time hearing the different versions and interpretations of what God says. They hear from the word itself, from men of God of all shades (Thank God for TBN, the varieties can now be delivered right into our living rooms!) and we also hear from books written on the word. It is easy to be so soaked in the word that one is genuinely convinced of his personal relationship with the Lord but James says that it is self deception because as the Lord himself said “Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mat.7v21).  The Lord’s delight and preference as communicated through Samuel to Saul is clear: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices  as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Sam.15v22).

• Control over the tongue (v26). James devotes a better part of chapter 3 of his letter to this great self deception. Suffice it to say here that a lack of control over our tongue, James says, renders our religion worthless. Even the Lord warns that “anyone who says, `You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell” (Mat.5v22). He also warned “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mat.12v36). Paul’s instruction to the Colossians must be heeded by all those who desire to conform to the image of Christ as a mark of true religion. He said “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Col. 4v6).

Lord, I pray   David’s pray that you “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps.141v3). Lord make me constantly and consistently conscious of these great deceptions that cast shadow on my desire to be what you intended me to be – namely to conform to the image of your one and only son Jesus Christ in whose name I pray. Amen

 

 

Wisdom – the key to treasures untold – James 1v 1-18

Wisdom – Understanding and knowing why things happen or  the way they are is the key to a purposeful and successful life. Wisdom is not inherited.  It is acquired.  God gives it if we ask (v5). An example of such asking is  Solomon (1 Kings 3 v7-9).

Reasons why we must pursue Wisdom

1. It helps us develop a positive attitude to difficulties and challenges of life (v1-6). It helps us to know why we are facing challenges and trials.  It helps us to endure and persevere under such trials. If we do not have the wisdom to understand why, we would actually miss the lessons intended in such circumstances and in the process reject it.
2. Wisdom helps us identify the nature of the situations around us and deal with them.  The physical situations of trials may be similar to those of temptations and wisdom is required to know which to embrace and endure and which to resist and run.  Trials endured lead to maturity while temptations if not resisted   lead to sin and  death.
3. Wisdom – the fear of the Lord – is the key to unlocking the rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge  as Isaiah said : “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;  the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure”.(Is.33v6.)

Solomon who tasted first hand the fruit of God-given wisdom sounded a clarion call

to seeking wisdom  – wisdom that preserves, wisdom that protects and wisdom that lifts one to the presence of the Lord. He observed that wisdom call out “Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself;  all who hate me love death.”(Prov.8v33-36).

Father, give me grace and enablement to heed the call to seek wisdom that I may know your will as promised in your word and do it through Jesus Christ my Lord.  AMEN.