Fill in the blank:

“Lord, give me ___________ !”

Based on navigating through a Covid-19 environment, what would you put in that space?

o   Would it be patience?

o   Would it be peace?

o   Would it be faith?

While there are a variety of great answers to choose from (and we should not limit our asking the Lord to just these), I propose that there is one trait that trumps the rest in this season. There is a quality that is indispensable and irreplaceable when it comes to godly living in tumultuous times. What is it?

Wisdom.

Wisdom is more than just knowledge – rather, it is the application of certain knowledge that is applied in a way that is fruitful and beneficial. Wisdom is a capacity of the mind that allows us to understand life from God’s perspective.^[1]

This came to my mind during my devotion last week. I happened to be in 1 Chronicles 12, where David had just firmly established himself as king of Israel. The promise of what was had now come to be! Warriors from every tribe rallied together and pledged their support in the 1,000s, ready to fight on his behalf. Yet one tribe out of all the rest caught my attention… the tribe of Issachar. “from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;” (1 Chronicles 12:32).

While all the other tribes offered numerous men with reasons to fight, the tribe of Issachar humbly offered 200 men with something greater – the know-how of what to do in the times they were facing. In other words, they acquired the wisdom to govern the affairs of those fighting men sworn to David. Still, wisdom goes beyond as it influences all areas of life; I wonder how much of their wisdom was influential to David’s successful reign?

Imagine how much wisdom would bless and benefit us if we knew people who “understood the ‘Corona’ times and knew what the United States of America should do?”  Think about how much we could use this godly wisdom^[2] right now…

o   Wisdom is needed on which news outlets to believe and how much that should govern our attitude and action

o   Wisdom is pivotal in deciding what is safe for when you go outdoors and where you should or should not go

o   Wisdom is crucial in traversing through the process of opening up local churches, which are now deemed ‘essential’

o   Wisdom is fundamental in using our time wisely throughout the day

o   Wisdom is vital in how we should operate our finances in a tumultuous market

Wisdom is needed on all levels – from daily living to deciphering how the world will operate one country at a time. Was this wisdom only given for a specific period of time in the Old Testament? Is this wisdom only reserved for the king?

Thankfully, the answer is no. We all NEED wisdom. And guess what? We ALL have access to it!  James 1:5 makes this crystal clear: “ 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.”

All we have to do is ask God and He is gracious enough to give wisdom to us regarding whatever it is we are facing. It doesn’t matter what you have done and it doesn’t matter if you don’t deserve it – He wants to bless you in abundance with His wisdom… all you have to do is ask!

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

It’s that easy. I, for one, am seeking the Lord for wisdom regarding how I can help lead the efforts to open up the church in a safe manner. I’d appreciate your praying with me in this as we want to worship together in a place that honors the Lord while keeping people healthy and at peace.

For you, it could be different. In what area of your life are you going to seek the Lord for wisdom? Also, please pray that our leaders will “know what to do” in these strange times we are facing so we can follow the Lord’s will for our lives on the state and federal level. We all need wisdom and we need everyone’s prayers for it. 

Have a blessed week!

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” – Proverbs 4:7 (ESV)

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^[1] https://www.thenivbible.com/blog/4-ways-get-wisdom/

^[2] James 3:17 – But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.