Key Verse: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (2 Chron. 1:10 NIV)
You have probably never heard of William Lamb, otherwise known as Lord Melbourne. He has as his main claim to fame the fact that he mentored a young lady named Victoria when she was between the ages of 18 and 21. One day (when Victoria was 18) he announced to her that she was now Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and his next action is so remarkable. He opened the Bible with her and took her to the Old Testament, where they read together from the story of Solomon.
Solomon, like Victoria, had been appointed to the throne. One night early in his reign, God appeared to him in a dream and offered him anything he wanted. This was Solomon’s response: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” This pleased God so much that He granted Solomon the wisdom and knowledge he had asked for and, in addition, great wealth and fame. As a result of the wisdom he received, we know Solomon today as the primary author of what we call the wisdom books of the Old Testament.
There are times in life when we need guidance and times when we need wisdom. Sometimes we need to be told what to do or where to go, and sometimes we need to evaluate the situation ourselves and make a decision based on judgment. Generally speaking, we need guidance when we are young and wisdom when we are older. Children need a lot of guidance, and as they mature they need to develop wisdom so that they can make decisions as adults. That’s not to say that adults don’t ever need guidance, but in most cases they are expected to have wisdom.
Wisdom and guidance are not necessarily exclusive of one another. Someone can work through an issue with wisdom and then be given guidance. Someone else can begin by seeking guidance, and part of that guidance can come through wisdom. We need to be open to both, ready to receive help however God gives it.
God has not left us on our own in the matter of wisdom. We are told that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God who gives generously to all (Jas. 1:5). He gives generously. He is a giving God. Regardless of where I am on my spiritual journey, I can ask for God-given wisdom.
Sometimes He will give wisdom through the Word. Jesus Himself, after He gave His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, sums it up like this: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Mat. 7:24). Am I building my life on the Word of God?
Sometimes wisdom comes through the wise counsel of others. Prov. 13:10 tells us, “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” And Prov. 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” God has put His children in families we call churches, and part of what that means is that we can benefit from the wisdom of others.
God has given us the resources of prayer, the Word, and wise counselors. Are you seeking to grow in wisdom? Do you ask God for wisdom when you face a decision? Do you meditate on what the scriptures mean in your life? Do you have older, wiser believers you can turn to for advice?
Prayer: Lord, let these things be true of me. Sometimes in the past I have depended on my own judgment and made foolish decisions. Forgive me and help me to walk by faith in Your wisdom. Help me to turn to the Word, to ask You for wisdom to seek godly counsel.
Author: Lindsay Hislop was raised in southern Scotland and southern Ontario and now lives in the southern United States. He worked in the engineering field for 15 years (mostly in Canada) before pursuing an academic career. He has taught for over thirty years at Columbia International University. He also serves as an elder in his church, where he teaches and preaches regularly. He is married to a wonderful wife Pam and has two terrific children, Holly, who lives in Canada, and Doug, who lives in Columbia. His four grandchildren, Isaac, Madeline, Lindsay, and Dolan, are also pretty special. He likes doing carpentry and odd jobs around the house.
