Our Small Group is reading a book called “Knowing God” by J.I. Packer. In a chapter entitled, “God’s Wisdom and Ours”, Packer uses two examples to explain what God’s gift of wisdom is and what God’s gift of wisdom is not. He relates it to being taught how to drive. He says,
“What matters in driving is the speed and appropriateness of your reactions to things and the soundness of your judgment as to what scope a situation gives you. You do not ask yourself why the road should narrow or screw itself into a dogleg wiggle just where it does, nor why that van should be parked where it is, nor why the driver in front should hug the crown of the road so lovingly; you simply try to see and do the right thing in the actual situation that presents itself. The effect of divine wisdom is to enable you and me to do just that in the actual situations of everyday life. To drive well, you have to keep your eyes skinned to notice exactly what is in front of you.” (p.103)
We Need to Know Him
To pray for wisdom and seek it, is not the same as seeking to understand the mysteries of God. Those are oftentimes hidden from us. In this life, we will never understand all of the thoughts and ways of God – that’s part of His plan. Equally important, when God gives us His gift of wisdom, He enables us to see our lives and our situations for what they really are. Additionally, He enables us to assess those situations through His Word. Then we have the grace and strength to act accordingly.
How are we to understand the reality of our lives without praying for God’s gift of wisdom? How can we react in ways that honor God if we don’t know what the Bible says? And how are we to equip ourselves with God’s strength and grace if we don’t submit ourselves to Him?
Let’s be Christian’s who pray for God’s wisdom, understand God’s Word and submit to God’s will.
Prayerfully,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor, Uncategorized