THE GIFT OF WISDOM

As this year draws to a close I am hearing and thinking much about WISDOM. It is interesting that it is one of the gifts God gives to His people, and yet I hear far more about those who seek the prophetic gift, or healing, miracles and faith - it causes me to wonder how many have actually asked that they might be given a measure of the gift of the message, or words of, wisdom.

Since I was very young it has fascinated me that Solomon, considered the wisest of all men, and who incidentally became a very wealthy man, was asked by God what gift he wanted. In a dream the Lord said "Ask for whatever you want me to give you" - WOW couldn't we all come up with some wonderful answers to such a question!

Solomon's reply was that he wanted to have a 'discerning heart' and God's response was that he would give to him a 'wise and discerning heart'.

As a teenager I read this and figured if that was what a wise man would ask for it had to be a good idea - and so did the same! Only time will tell if that request has been granted, but it began in me a life time pursuit of something that was better than the so-called wisdom of this world that hasn't led us to a very good result.

As we walk towards a new year I find myself again pursuing this and feeling that it is in God's heart for us all at this time as we are going to need it.

In 1 Corinthians 2:7 Paul speaks of "God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began."

So much is written and spoken of the pursuit of His glory, but perhaps the route is a different one, maybe it would be a better idea to be pursuing wisdom?

If the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of widom" it brings us full circle back to the place of loving HIM with all that we have, of seeking first the Kingdom of God and He promises that everything else will be added to that.

Maybe Solomon in his God-given wisdom understood this, knowing that to have a wise and discerning heart would always bring him to this place?

David, Solomon's father, had esteemed wisdom, and maybe he passed this on to his son with very good effect.

Anyway, we do well to learn from the past - that is wisdom in itself.

Blessings for this coming year of 2006.