I’m in need of some wisdom. Circumstances are pressing in on me that require a decision. Sidestepping won’t work anymore, so it’s time to act.

What do you do when you’re in this kind of situation? You have the knowledge you need, because you’ve done your research and looked at options. You sought wise counsel and prayed about it. Now it’s time to make the right choice, but the fear of making the wrong one is holding you back.

This is where faith steps in, as we depend on the promises of God in His Word. Let’s start with a familiar verse.

What does the Bible say about wisdom?

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.      – Proverbs 9:10 

This is like several other similar verses.  They say wisdom begins when I honor and respect God. It’s also rooted in knowing Him.

Here’s another passage that’s a favorite for many of us. Perhaps you’ve memorized Proverbs 3: 5-6.

Hmm. There’s no specific reference to wisdom here, but it’s talking about how we move in the right direction. The instruction is to be cautious of our own human perspective. That certainly affects how I make decisions.

I think I understand the problem and my options, but this says I shouldn’t depend on my own understanding of the situation. God sees the bigger picture from His vantage point. Human understanding falls far short of Godly wisdom. So, I give the problem to Him. I acknowledge He is God and I’m not. I yield myself and am willing to trust Him and accept His will. 

What do I need to know about God and His will?

His will is rooted in who He is – in His character. His will for us can never be contrary to what He has said in His Word, or against His nature. Through His Word we come to know Him and what He’s like.

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” -Jeremiah 9: 23-24

So what does His wisdom look like?

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.   – James 3: 17-18

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.   -Romans 12:2 

As the song says, “He’s a good, good Father.” He loves us and wants the best for us, so since I need God’s wisdom to make my decision, I joyfully say, “Not my will, but Yours, Lord.”

How do I get this wisdom?

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  – James 1:5

James says to ask God for it, and He’s happy to give it. Ok. I’m in. I’m asking God for His wisdom.

What’s next?

Know that all God’s wisdom is in Jesus – Yeshua, the Messiah.

I Corinthians 1:24 calls Jesus: Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The messianic verses in Isaiah 11 speak directly to this also. Look for familiar themes repeated here that we’ve already seen in other passages. Scripture reinforces itself.

And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.   – Isaiah 11:2   

And the next verse begins with: And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.    – Isaiah 11:3 

When we’ve received Him, His Spirit resides in us. So the wisdom of God dwells within us.

For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God   -1Corinthians 2:11-12 

…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.   -Philippians 2:13 

Closing Thoughts

I could give many more examples in the Bible on this issue, but this is a good start.

I hope reading these verses builds your confidence, as it has done for me. It exercises our faith to know God is for us in our dilemmas, decisions, and directions. I’m not saying I fully understand this mystery, but I trust Him to be true to His word to supply the wisdom needed in my situation and to work on my behalf.

I’ve known this to be true in the past because He has given me peace about my decisions. It may not be what I had in mind, but He’s never failed me yet. I just have to get out of the way.

Even if I don’t get myself out of the way, you know what’s really great also? Jesus is not only our Redeemer from sin and death, He redeems our mistakes. He works it all out, in spite of us.

As teacher Brad Scott has said, “Because God is smarter than we are.”

Shalom, Dottie

Featured photo at the top is from Shutterstock.