“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5 NKJV.
There are moments in life that don’t come with instructions; crossroads where the stakes are high and the right decision isn’t obvious. In such moments, when the cost of a wrong decision is high, we need wisdom to navigate.
Scripture tells us that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). However, it doesn’t stop there. It is cultivated through intentional seeking, sincere asking, and trusting that God will respond.
James invites us to ask God when we lack wisdom (James 1:5). Jesus reinforces this posture in Matthew 7:7, where the verbs “ask,” “seek,” and “knock” are written in the present iterative tense, meaning they are continuous. We are to keep asking, seeking, and knocking.
However, seeking must be done in faith (James 1:6), not just believing that God can guide, but that He will. True wisdom lies in God’s perspective, not our own.
The example of Solomon fits beautifully. When God offered him anything, Solomon asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9). He didn’t assume he could navigate on his own. He understood that discerning rightly in real situations requires more than experience or cleverness. It requires God’s help. And because he asked with the right heart, God gave him wisdom and more (1 Kings 3:10-14).
Wisdom begins when we stop leaning on our understanding and start seeking God’s direction in all things, not just during crises, but in daily choices (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Yet, wisdom will not force its way into our lives. To those who seek diligently, God promises they will find Him (Proverbs 8:17). He’s not reluctant to give wisdom. Instead, He delights in it. After all, if He didn’t withhold His own Son from us, why would He withhold the guidance we need to live wisely? (Romans 8:32)
The book of Proverbs tells us that those who reject wisdom will eventually suffer the consequences of their choices (Proverbs 1:29-31). Without wisdom, we lose clarity.
Beloved, the world around us is a battlefield of distractions, pressures, and conflicting paths. You need more than ambition to navigate it well. You need God’s wisdom. He is generous and more than willing to give, but first, you must come, ask, and seek. For in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). When you walk by His wisdom, you will not walk blind.
Bible Reading Plan: Psalm 53-55, 2 Corinthians 4: 1-18