July 17, 2019: SOAP #3513:  Isaiah 29-31; James 1

Scripture:  James (NIV) 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Observation:   Chapter 28 of Job talks about the great effort man expends to find silver.  Silver is valuable and worth the effort.  Then in verse 12, Job asks, “But where can wisdom be found?”  James tells us where to find wisdom.  We need but to ask God.

Application:   Even harder than men sought silver in Job’s day, people today seek knowledge.  They go to 12 years of elementary and high school.  Many go to 4 years of college and many to 4 more years.   Education has become big business!  Colleges and universities continue to build bigger and bigger buildings.  The cost of an education continues to increase.  People gain more and more knowledge.  They put more and more facts into their mind.

But where can wisdom be found?  Can someone tell me what all these facts mean?  Can someone tell me what to do with this knowledge?  Where can I go for the purpose of my being?

James tells me to ask God.  Wisdom is gaining knowledge of God then placing all other knowledge in right relationship to the knowledge of God.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I take you at your word.  I ask for wisdom to be a better husband and father.  I ask for wisdom in driving a school bus.  I ask for wisdom in preparing these SOAP devotions.  May your wisdom expressed through me make me a blessing to others and bring you glory. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!