In a day and age, when there is a great need for wisdom, it seems as if that is one of the last things many people in leadership, be it in the corporate, political, or church sector seek to gain or obtain! Personal mindsets and agendas appear to be what is driving many leaders, within our world and closer to home country, to make the decisions they do. Quite often and in most cases, these various leaders are extremely and highly educated people. They have the scholastic degrees to back up and support the wealth of educational information they have received over the years.
What is lacking here is not intelligence per se but the wisdom to use that knowledge and intellect in a right and proper manner in accordance with God’s will. God is the one who gives the gifts of intelligence and wisdom to us human beings. If that is the case, then we, as His creation, should be seeking His assistance to be able to the apply the intelligence He has given us wisely.
Right out of the gate, the Book of Proverbs gives us direction in the area of wisdom. “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth-- Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:2-5, 7 We also hear guiding words from the Book of James, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and holds not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5
Even for those who ask for wisdom and receive it there is cautiousness to be carried out. Why is this important to know? Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, God gave him the gift of having amazing wisdom and insight to lead His people. And yet, Solomon fell victim to the enticements of the devil and eventually strayed away from following the will of the Lord.
To be honest, Solomon was not the wisest person who ever lived, Jesus was. He and He alone sought guidance and wisdom from His Father, and it was only He who was able to lead a perfect, God-pleasing, sinless life. As disciples of Christ, it should be our desire to gain godly wisdom, and it is our responsibility to pray for the leaders of this and all other countries to seek wisdom from the Lord. Wisdom to rule in justice and righteousness! Pastor McCarty