When You Need Wisdom

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome back to Beyond Sundayand day 27 of anchored in God's
promises.
I can't believe we're almostdone with the month.
Every day this month, we've beenstarting with one verse to
anchor our hearts before the daybegins.
Today's verse is one I'velearned on countless times in my
own life when I don't know whatto do when the next step feels
unclear.
This is the promise I return to.

(00:21):
It's James one, five.
If any of you lacks wisdom.
You should ask God who givesgenerously to all without
finding fault and will be givento you.
The assumption is we all lackwisdom, right?
James starts with, if any of youlacks wisdom, that's not meant
to question whether some peopleneed it and others don't.

(00:42):
It's an acknowledgement that allof us lacks wisdom at times in
our life.
Everyone faces decisions.
We don't feel equipped for whichjob to take.
How to parent in a difficultseason.
Can I get an amen?
How to handle conflict.
How to respond in moments ofpressure.
The good news is God knows ourlimits and instead of leaving us

(01:02):
stuck, he offers wisdom freely.
When we ask, James keeps itsimple, here's the instruction
you should ask.
God, how often do you and Iovercomplicate this?
We'll, stress, we'll strategize.
We'll ask a dozen people fortheir advice before pausing to
simply say God.
What do you want me to do?

(01:23):
Asking God for wisdom doesn'thave to be long.
It doesn't have to be a longformal prayer.
Sometimes it's as simple as God,I need your direction right now.
And the promise is that when youand I ask, he responds, James
adds this encouragement, whogives generously to all without
finding fault.
That's the character of thegiver that's worth pausing on,

(01:45):
right?
God isn't stingy with hiswisdom.
He doesn't ration it out likeit's scarce.
He gives generously and hedoesn't scold you for asking.
He doesn't say, really, Nick,you should have figured this out
by now, or, you've messed thisup last time, so I'm not helping
you anymore.
No, he gives without findingfault.

(02:05):
What a relief that is.
God welcomes our questions.
He delights when we bring ourdecisions to him, and the
guarantee is it's not a vaguehope, it's a clear promise.
It will be given to you.
Now, that doesn't always meanGod gives the entire roadmap in
one moment.
Often his wisdom comes as thenext step.
Sometimes it's a scripture thatsuddenly feels alive and

(02:27):
relevant.
Sometimes it's a sense of peaceor a lack of peace that helps
you discern his will.
Sometimes it's wise counsel froma godly friend, but however he
gives it, you can trust thiswhen you ask in faith, wisdom
will come.
I remember counseling a youngman who had two very different
job offers, one that lookedgreat on paper and another that

(02:49):
seemed uncertain, but had doorsfor ministry impact.
And honestly, he was torn.
He prayed James one five everyday for a week.
Lord, give me wisdom.
Lord, give me wisdom, Lord, giveme wisdom.
On the final night while readingProverbs one verse, leapt off
the page about generosity andtrust.
It confirmed his leaning towardthe less lucrative but more

(03:09):
impactful role.
Years later, he told me thatdecision changed the course of
his life, and I only knewbecause I asked.
That's what he said.
I only knew what to do because Iasked God.
That's the kind of clarity Goddelights to give.
So here's your challenge today.
Identify one decision you'refacing right now, big or small.

(03:31):
Bring it to God and pray.
James, one five.
Word for word.
Lord, I lack wisdom.
I'm asking you to give itgenerously without finding
fault.
Then watch and wait.
Keep your eyes open for how heanswers through scripture,
through the spirit's leadingthrough wise.
Counsel, let's pray.
Father, thank you that you arenot just a God of power, but

(03:52):
also a God of wisdom.
Thank you that you don't leaveus to figure life out alone
today.
We confess that we lack wisdomin many areas.
Us, give us clarity, give usdiscernment.
Teach us to recognize yourleading and to trust the answers
you provide In Jesus name, amen.
Hey, thanks for spending a fewminutes this morning here on
Beyond Sunday.

(04:12):
That's day 27 of Anchored inGod's Promise.
If this episode encouraged you,if that's Scripture encouraged
you, send it to someone who mayneed a reminder of God's wisdom
and how generous he is.
I'll see you back here tomorrow.