If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.–James 1: 5
It is a sad fact that we don’t always see our need. So, that being the case, sometimes our greatest need is to simply see our need. That’s why Bible study is so important–it produces the proper perspective. There is no better example of this than the book of Proverbs. It gives us practical advice for daily living and, right at the top of the list of things needed is wisdom.
But God doesn’t just tell us what we need, He also provides it. Wisdom is ours for the asking! Do you see the need for it? Perhaps these words from the pen of Warren Wiersbe will help you see your need:
Wisdom gives us perspective so that we aren’t discouraged when times are difficult, or arrogant when things are going well. It takes a good deal of spirituality to be able to accept prosperity as well as adversity, for often prosperity does greater damage (Phil. 4:10–13). Job reminded his wife of this truth when she told him to curse God and die: “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil [trouble]?” (Job 2:10, kjv). Earlier, Job had said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (1:21, kjv).
God balances our lives by giving us enough blessings to keep us happy and enough burdens to keep us humble. If all we had were blessings in our hands, we would fall right over, so the Lord balances the blessings in our hands with burdens on our backs. That helps to keep us steady, and as we yield to Him, He can even turn the burdens into blessings.
