A WISDOM FOUND, A BATTLE WON
Lord, I ask for more of your Wisdom. I don’t understand. Please, impart on me Your wisdom. I want to better know Your voice. Is this of You? Help me discern.
These are prayers I often pray. Sometimes, these prayers are very specific. Sometimes, they are general. I have been influenced by a church culture that teaches us to expect an immediate "download" of knowledge. When I ask for these things, I expect immediate answers. Immediate results.
Impart on me your wisdom NOW, or I might not get through this day…
Hey, God can do this. And does. His power is supernatural. He will give us this day our daily bread. And sometimes, that does include immediate knowledge.
But if we also think of wisdom from more of a historical human perspective, we know that wisdom is usually the result of learning, and learning is often best done through experience. We consider to be wise those who have gone before us; those who have wrestled the beasts of life that now sit and wait for the young to come upon their path.
Lately I have found myself completely baffled by the outcome of a variety of situations. Not just one, but many. As I was reflecting on the timeline and the happenings of these things, I was overcome one day with a peaceful realization that I have gained so much wisdom, despite feeling like a floundering fish through it all.
And then I was further struck with a revelatory Truth.
“You asked for it," said the revelatory Truth.
Indeed I had asked for it. I had asked for Wisdom. A week ago, a month ago, a year ago...
The wisdom I have gained is life-altering. It's opening up a pivotal moment for me, giving way to true character change, if I let it.
After months of confusion, doubts, and even pain, I can see clarity and healing on the horizon. I feel hope stirring in the wind. I understand. I have received.
I have received so much of the Wisdom that I had been asking for, but it was not immediate. It took a little more confusion to see more clearly. It took being tempted by a voice I do not know to be reminded of the voice of my Shepherd. It took re-breaking the bone for the wound to properly heal. It took time. Things I thought were good were taken away so God could replace them with something better.
If you really ask and seek the Wisdom of God – lifelong, life-altering Wisdom, not just seeds of comfort scattered on the surface – expect to get thrown into the battle. Expect to dance with the enemy. Expect to dine with the evil one. And let the wisdom that comes from a lived life unfold over the weeks, months, years…
It is fascinating to me that the oldest written book of the Bible is Job, a story of an upward and righteous man whom God allowed Satan to test through a series of confusing and painful trials. Many people can get put off that God would allow such things to happen to Job, despite his life of dedication. It is tempting to view it as some kind of unjust punishment.
But, to put it in a different light, a deep intimacy can be seen in the relationship of God and Job. God does not hand Job over to Satan to punish him. He hands him over because he knows that Job can withstand the task, and thus prove the enemy wrong. God’s knows from the beginning that Satan can never have His beloved.
If you are God’s child, like Job, he will allow these things to take place. Not out of disregard or neglect for his children. But to show to the prince of the power of the air that he can never have them. That his children are resilient.
You cannot take My children away, look what they can do…
If anyone dares to tamper with them, go ahead, they will only become stronger.
They will only becoming wiser.