"Vanity! Vanity!” The famous words of the Preacher, Solomon. In his experiences, he discovered through all the different roads offered to a person in life that they all ended in death. So, ultimately nothing was really worth it. However, as followers of Christ, we do realize that there are blessings even in not-so-good things in life (Romans 8:28). But how could a person possibly think of a hardship as a glimpse into God’s wisdom?
(James 1:2-4)
Those are the kinds of answers we find in the books of wisdom found in the Bible: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Each of these books reflect a unique perspective on how God looks at the experiences in our lives that can draw us closer to him or that end up driving us away from him (James 4:7-8). Deep within them, there is a message that gives us confidence and power to face the trials ahead.
Just like James said to do in James 1:5, “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. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all
his ways.”
As we strive to better understand our purpose for being on Planet Earth, we quickly realize that it really isn’t about us, as much as we may want it to be – it’s not! Therefore, the words of God reflect what it is about and ultimately where I’ll find purpose and satisfaction in life.
Too many people chase after the things that only end in death. However, the things that God wants us to grasp through his wisdom, is that life is most fulfilling when lived to serve others. After all, Jesus did just that and therefore took away our need to fear death. Hebrews 2:14-15, “…[He] shared in [death], that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
In the same way, His eternal words reveal how His wisdom isn’t like the way of the world. God’s wisdom shows us how life is filled with dissatisfaction, BUT He gives us the words we need to see past those things – even the problem of death!
1 Corinthians 2:6-8, “We speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory…”
Aim for His wisdom and trust that you’ll understand His will better, whether in good times or bad.
No comments:
Post a Comment