“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6, NIV)
There are little hints, clues, or directions in scripture that casual readers often overlook. Because you believe in meditating on the Bible, you may be more open to seeing these little gems. If you read the Bible casually, you will often miss the nuance. If you are in a hurry, you will move too fast through the verse to pick up on the subtle clues put there by God. If you remain patient, open to the Spirit, and willing to put some effort into your Bible study, these sweet bits of God’s insight will fill you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the work of our Lord.
Let me show you how it works.
Read the scripture above from Proverbs 2:6. Now, read it again. Notice the words that are used. Look closely at the verbs. The basic sentence structure seems simple enough. The words are not difficult to comprehend. However, a subtle nuance is hidden in plain sight. Proverbs 2:6 speaks of wisdom that comes from the Lord. The wisdom that comes from God’s “mouth” contains “knowledge and understanding”. Are you with me so far? Good. Now, look closely at the beginning phrase of this verse. It says, “the Lord gives wisdom”. GIVES. GIVES. How do you get wisdom? It comes from the Lord. Now, here’s the kicker. How often does the Lord offer wisdom? Look closely. This verse says the Lord “gives” wisdom. In the Greek as well as the English, “gives” is written in the imperfect tense. An imperfect verb tense implies something is ongoing, continuing, eternal. So, not only has the Lord GIVEN wisdom in the past, HE still imparts wisdom today. Since the Lord is alive and well, HIS wisdom is given over and over when asked for and needed. His wisdom was not dispensed only in the past, only in the Bible, only to Abraham or Jesus. His wisdom is still GIVEN. Thus, the Lord’s wisdom is available to you, right now, today.
There have been some theologians and pastors who have claimed that the Bible is the only source of God’s interaction with people. Some even claim that when Jesus died, God died. They imply that God’s wisdom and knowledge and direction has ended. However, this scripture implies otherwise. The Lord GIVES wisdom…. even now. The Lord’s wisdom is not relegated to the past. It is here for us now. The eternal, all-knowing, all-wise God who created everything you can see and much more, is willing to impart wisdom to you as needed. Do you need it?
Jasmine is going through a tough time. Her husband, Jamie, was a police officer who died in the line of duty. He was shot and killed during a simple traffic stop. Even though he died five years ago, Jasmine still remembers the events of that day vividly. She plays through in her mind his kiss before work, his smile at her as he left, the smell of his aftershave, the crying baby reaching for him. At times, Jasmine feels guilty she did not hug him longer, kiss him twice, or do more. She wonders of ways she may have been a better wife. She still tears up every few days as memories pop into her mind.
Jasmine’s whole world changed that day. Now, she’s a single parent of three children juggling work, the children’s needs, and household duties. As exhaustion sets in at the end of her day, she is known to whisper, 'God, I need a little help right now!' Jasmine is desperate for divine comfort and peace. It's not that she doesn't sense God’s presence now and then. She does. It’s just that her many responsibilities and challenges cloud her judgment. The exhaustion at the end of the day means that when she reads her Bible, little sinks in. Still, she cries out to God for wisdom. She’s honest with God enough to whisper, “God, I need a little help right now!”
Jasmine’s mother asked her one day, “Do you ever feel Jamie’s presence?” Jasmine nodded in reply. Then, Jasmine confided in her mother, “I feel God more. I can feel God trying to calm me, help me, heal me. I feel God telling me I’ll see Jamie again in Heaven. Whenever my day is falling apart and I ask God for patience, strength, or help… it seems to come. Sometimes, I am surprised at how perfectly God comes through. Remember when Sarah (Jasmine’s best friend) had a vacation at the same time when I needed surgery? Sarah was able to step in and help with the kids and me when we needed it the most.” At these words, Jasmine and her mother looked into each other’s eyes. Tears were there. They hugged. They cried. God’s love was powerfully present in that moment.
Jasmine needs God’s wisdom often. She is not afraid to ask for the Lord’s help. She has learned to trust the Holy Spirit. She understands loss. Not only has God granted wisdom to Jasmine, but God’s wisdom also permeates through Jasmine to all she meets. Each time Jasmine speaks to others about trusting in God’s promises, others receive a small insight into God’s wisdom. When Jasmine talks to a close friend who lost her husband to cancer, she is able to impart God’s wisdom in dealing with suffering, loss, and death. God gave wisdom when Jasmine sought it. God’s wisdom continues to feed the souls of all who are touched by Jasmine’s encouragement. God’s wisdom is given for just such times as these.
In a devotional I read recently, the following was shared:
“The prerequisite to obtaining help in dealing with our troubles is to realize that we lack sufficient wisdom to sort them out! The argument is this: “When facing trials, it is important to know how to cope with them. The only way we will be able to understand these trials and respond to them properly is by asking for the wisdom that only God can give.” When our friends and loved ones are going through trials, we may think we see what God is doing through the ordeal. But when we are the sufferers, when we are the ones going through the fire, viewing the situation from God’s perspective is a little more difficult. For this reason we are to ask God for wisdom.
As James motivates the troubled believer to seek wisdom (James 1:5), he describes God in such a way as to make us wonder why we have waited so long to reach out for His help. We know from the Scriptures that God is the source of true wisdom. He is a good God who is not partial to any. He will always answer the prayer for wisdom, never turning away such a request. He may not always answer on our time schedule, but He always answers.” (p. 34, David Jeremiah, Morning and Evening Devotions: Holy Moments in the Presence of God)
The Lord GIVES wisdom. That means that the Lord is ready at this moment to impart any wisdom you need for any challenge you face. Can you trust in the Lord’s wisdom? You bet! People like Jasmine and me have found encouragement, strength, and direction by trusting in the wisdom of Almighty God. In the same way that Jesus prayed to the Heavenly Father for strength and direction, you can do the same. Why? The Lord GIVES wisdom. It’s available for you… right now. Is there something about which you need answers? I'm sure God has some wisdom on the subject! Seek HIM!
Let me show you how it works.
Read the scripture above from Proverbs 2:6. Now, read it again. Notice the words that are used. Look closely at the verbs. The basic sentence structure seems simple enough. The words are not difficult to comprehend. However, a subtle nuance is hidden in plain sight. Proverbs 2:6 speaks of wisdom that comes from the Lord. The wisdom that comes from God’s “mouth” contains “knowledge and understanding”. Are you with me so far? Good. Now, look closely at the beginning phrase of this verse. It says, “the Lord gives wisdom”. GIVES. GIVES. How do you get wisdom? It comes from the Lord. Now, here’s the kicker. How often does the Lord offer wisdom? Look closely. This verse says the Lord “gives” wisdom. In the Greek as well as the English, “gives” is written in the imperfect tense. An imperfect verb tense implies something is ongoing, continuing, eternal. So, not only has the Lord GIVEN wisdom in the past, HE still imparts wisdom today. Since the Lord is alive and well, HIS wisdom is given over and over when asked for and needed. His wisdom was not dispensed only in the past, only in the Bible, only to Abraham or Jesus. His wisdom is still GIVEN. Thus, the Lord’s wisdom is available to you, right now, today.
There have been some theologians and pastors who have claimed that the Bible is the only source of God’s interaction with people. Some even claim that when Jesus died, God died. They imply that God’s wisdom and knowledge and direction has ended. However, this scripture implies otherwise. The Lord GIVES wisdom…. even now. The Lord’s wisdom is not relegated to the past. It is here for us now. The eternal, all-knowing, all-wise God who created everything you can see and much more, is willing to impart wisdom to you as needed. Do you need it?
Jasmine is going through a tough time. Her husband, Jamie, was a police officer who died in the line of duty. He was shot and killed during a simple traffic stop. Even though he died five years ago, Jasmine still remembers the events of that day vividly. She plays through in her mind his kiss before work, his smile at her as he left, the smell of his aftershave, the crying baby reaching for him. At times, Jasmine feels guilty she did not hug him longer, kiss him twice, or do more. She wonders of ways she may have been a better wife. She still tears up every few days as memories pop into her mind.
Jasmine’s whole world changed that day. Now, she’s a single parent of three children juggling work, the children’s needs, and household duties. As exhaustion sets in at the end of her day, she is known to whisper, 'God, I need a little help right now!' Jasmine is desperate for divine comfort and peace. It's not that she doesn't sense God’s presence now and then. She does. It’s just that her many responsibilities and challenges cloud her judgment. The exhaustion at the end of the day means that when she reads her Bible, little sinks in. Still, she cries out to God for wisdom. She’s honest with God enough to whisper, “God, I need a little help right now!”
Jasmine’s mother asked her one day, “Do you ever feel Jamie’s presence?” Jasmine nodded in reply. Then, Jasmine confided in her mother, “I feel God more. I can feel God trying to calm me, help me, heal me. I feel God telling me I’ll see Jamie again in Heaven. Whenever my day is falling apart and I ask God for patience, strength, or help… it seems to come. Sometimes, I am surprised at how perfectly God comes through. Remember when Sarah (Jasmine’s best friend) had a vacation at the same time when I needed surgery? Sarah was able to step in and help with the kids and me when we needed it the most.” At these words, Jasmine and her mother looked into each other’s eyes. Tears were there. They hugged. They cried. God’s love was powerfully present in that moment.
Jasmine needs God’s wisdom often. She is not afraid to ask for the Lord’s help. She has learned to trust the Holy Spirit. She understands loss. Not only has God granted wisdom to Jasmine, but God’s wisdom also permeates through Jasmine to all she meets. Each time Jasmine speaks to others about trusting in God’s promises, others receive a small insight into God’s wisdom. When Jasmine talks to a close friend who lost her husband to cancer, she is able to impart God’s wisdom in dealing with suffering, loss, and death. God gave wisdom when Jasmine sought it. God’s wisdom continues to feed the souls of all who are touched by Jasmine’s encouragement. God’s wisdom is given for just such times as these.
In a devotional I read recently, the following was shared:
“The prerequisite to obtaining help in dealing with our troubles is to realize that we lack sufficient wisdom to sort them out! The argument is this: “When facing trials, it is important to know how to cope with them. The only way we will be able to understand these trials and respond to them properly is by asking for the wisdom that only God can give.” When our friends and loved ones are going through trials, we may think we see what God is doing through the ordeal. But when we are the sufferers, when we are the ones going through the fire, viewing the situation from God’s perspective is a little more difficult. For this reason we are to ask God for wisdom.
As James motivates the troubled believer to seek wisdom (James 1:5), he describes God in such a way as to make us wonder why we have waited so long to reach out for His help. We know from the Scriptures that God is the source of true wisdom. He is a good God who is not partial to any. He will always answer the prayer for wisdom, never turning away such a request. He may not always answer on our time schedule, but He always answers.” (p. 34, David Jeremiah, Morning and Evening Devotions: Holy Moments in the Presence of God)
The Lord GIVES wisdom. That means that the Lord is ready at this moment to impart any wisdom you need for any challenge you face. Can you trust in the Lord’s wisdom? You bet! People like Jasmine and me have found encouragement, strength, and direction by trusting in the wisdom of Almighty God. In the same way that Jesus prayed to the Heavenly Father for strength and direction, you can do the same. Why? The Lord GIVES wisdom. It’s available for you… right now. Is there something about which you need answers? I'm sure God has some wisdom on the subject! Seek HIM!