Wisdom Better than Gold

So much is going on in the world today, my head is left spinning on a daily basis. As time progresses, I grow increasingly concerned over the direction our nation is headed and the speed of depravity we are sinking. It is clearly Satan’s work. I never expected to see the truly demonic so pervasive in our society within my life time.

A theme verse for the past couple of years could be Proverbs 18:2, which states, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Oh so many examples pop into my head reading that verse. Wisdom, understanding, reason and sound judgment are no longer valued or tolerated anymore, even amongst many Christians. Rather pop culture and personal feelings and opinions are the currently accepted means for guiding one’s life. Initially, the cruelty of Christians to other Christians was astounding to me. At this point, I find it profoundly revolting. Again, the work of Satan, not of the Lord. A direct result of a Christian’s close-minded and closed-hearted nature. Or as the Lord calls it, the “hardened heart”.

Crosswalk has a great article on the 7 Powerful Warning Signs of a Hardened Heart available at: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/warning-signs-of-a-hardened-heart.html. You may be able to recognize these in our current culture and on-going events:

• A lack of understanding
• Bitterness and Resentment
• Isolation from God and Others
• Refusal to Forgive
• Indifference
• Pride
• Refusal to serve or be ministered to

God, however, calls us to be wise and offers His wisdom freely if we just ask. “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 (NIV). And wisdom is more important that even gold! “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen above silver.” Proverbs 16:16 NASB.

In our current times and with everything that is coming on the horizon, God’s wisdom is needed more than ever. We should consider it extremely valuable, yet so many Christians allow their fear and pride to ignore and scoff at God’s wisdom or those sharing wisdom with them. God warns about ignoring His wisdom and instruction in Proverbs 1:31-32 (NASB) “So they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes. For the faithlessness of the naive will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.” Thankfully though, “whoever listens to Me will live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.” Proverbs 1:33 NASB.

If you are current on the events in our world today and understand the drivers, not just on this earth but in the higher and lower realms, you may feel astounded, sad, angry, frustrated and many other feelings. It often seems like I can feel any and all of them in just one day as new things are brought to light. It can be overwhelming and disheartening. It can be hard to know what to do, how to handle things, what decisions to make.

If you are not around like-minded people, it can feel daunting and lonely. Maybe you are worried about your responsibility for your family or concerned about loved ones who have not been open-minded or anxious about the divisions that have developed between relatives.

• 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
• 1 John 4:18 (ESV) “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
• 1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV) “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”
• Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
• John 14:27 (ESV) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
• Proverbs 1:7 (ESV) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
• Psalm 111:10 (ESV ) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!”

Please join me today in prayer for open minds, open hearts, open arms and prayerful hands.

Open Minds and Open Hearts
Lord, please open my heart and mind to your Spirit and Your wisdom. These times are unprecedented but Your Love and Your Word are beyond comparison.

I pray for my friends and family that they may be drawn to a closer relationship with You and grow in their desire for Your wisdom above all else.

I pray for Christians in any form of leadership that they may have open minds and open hearts to Your calling and Your will. May they seek Your wisdom with open minds and open hearts and not be afraid to do your bidding.

Open Arms
Lord, I need Your wisdom. I cannot do this on my own. There is too much going on. I just don’t have time to keep up with it all. I feel inadequate, unprepared, ill-equipped and overwhelmed. May I rely on Your wisdom and strength and glorify You in everything I do and say.

Help me to lead with Your love in my relationships as perfect love casts out all fear. Please give me the wisdom to know the difference as I navigate struggling relationships. May my witness draw them to You and Your Word and may they grow closer to You such that they value Your wisdom more than anything or anyone else.

I pray for Christan leaders that they may be open to Your will and not afraid to do Your bidding. That when tested, they stand for what is right and true and biblical. May they not be deterred or led astray.

Prayerful Hands
Lord, may I seek Your wisdom above all else through fervent prayer. May Christians around this country and our world value the power of prayer and seek first Your wisdom. May our hands be folded in prayer rather than fists.

Lord, I beseech you. Amen

Isaiah 55:6-9 (ESV)
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”