James 3:17-18But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. English Standard Version (ESV)
I'm sure that many college students have recently prayed for wisdom as they headed into their final exams and many high school students will be doing the same thing soon as they approach the end of the school year and their finals. I get a kick out of some of the high school students, relating back to when I was in their position doing the same thing, praying for wisdom to take tests without studying. I don't think that is what God had in mind for us to do.
Solomon, the wisest man on the earth in his time was offered anything, and he asked for wisdom, the wisdom to lead God's people. God granted him this request. We have his words of wisdom still recorded in the "wisdom literature" in the Old Testament, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. If you haven't read these recently you might consider doing so.
Today's verses in James give us an idea of what God's wisdom looks like in our lives - pure thoughts, peaceable, gentle, open to reason and full of mercy. Couldn't we all use more of that in our lives today? Pray for it and it will produce good fruit, impartial and sincere in our lives and in our dealings.
Whether it be in school, at work, in the courtroom, in the doctor's office may we seek God's wisdom in the situations that come up today may we be open to his "reason" and respond to his promptings of wisdom. The Message says that "it is characterized by getting along with others". Can't we use more of this in our society today? Let's be sure to do our part.
James 3:17-18The Message (MSG)
17-18 Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
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