Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By wisdom
kings reign and rulers make laws that are just. By wisdom princes govern, and
all nobles who rule on earth. Wisdom says, “I love those who love me, and those
who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and
prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses fine
silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing
wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. ~Proverbs 8:14-21
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ~James 1:5
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is, first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. ~James 3:13-18
So, yesterday I wanted to talk to Wall Street. Maybe today, congress? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that we are in the hands of wise, godly leaders, both in government and in the church? It is a rare leader who can keep his focus on Christ, hear first God’s wisdom, and act according to what he or she is told.
Today, we see politics as such a dirty business. We need to remember, Solomon penned these words when nations were bowing to idols and sacrificing their children to them. Many nations ruled by brute force and superstition. The history of man’s government over man is a brutal one that has little virtue to claim.
Over time, it hasn’t gotten much better. One thousand years after Solomon lived, Paul exhorts Christians: “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1) He wasn’t exactly referring to a virtuous godly bunch of rulers then either. In fact, snubbing one another and ripping up the State of The Union address were child’s play (pun intended!) compared to some of the goings on in Rome. Yet Paul says that even they were placed in their authoritative position for a purpose, possibly known only to God Himself, and that Paul’s readers were to respect that.
I think that what is sad is we read of all the blessings and benefit that our leaders, our government and we would gain if all of them would want to receive those blessings, that wisdom has to offer, but they don’t.
Wisdom says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses fine silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.”
Of course, we all have these blessings available to us when we choose our big sister’s good advice and walk on her wise paths. And remember, we aren’t just necessarily talking about monetary or material blessings here, though it may sound that way. There is so much more that we could have if we choose wise ways. However, in this passage she is actually offering herself to our leadership. “Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By wisdom kings reign and rulers make laws that are just. By wisdom princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.” We will see Solomon revisit this theme often as well, that the people are blessed when their leaders choose wisdom rather than earthly power and charisma to reign.
We really need to continue in prayer for those over us. I know that it’s hard and easy to get discouraged and think that it doesn’t matter. It’s especially hard to pray for those we may vehemently disagree with, but in truth, they may need our prayers the most. Consider this, we may also need to keep praying for our opponents because it is one way that we can love those that we consider an enemy. That is surely a prayer that Christ will smile at. We can pray that our leaders can stop seeking their own way, their own power and their own fame and instead, seek the wisdom that God is offering them readily and freely, for all our benefit.
Prayer: Father God, Sovereign Lord, I pray that our national, state and local leaders, all our elected officials and appointees like judges, would all acknowledge your rule and wisdom. I pray for them to read Your Word and listen to Your Spirit, so that we can all benefit from the blessings that would flow through godly righteousness. In Jesus' name. amen.
Song: God of Our Fathers
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ~James 1:5
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is, first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. ~James 3:13-18
So, yesterday I wanted to talk to Wall Street. Maybe today, congress? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that we are in the hands of wise, godly leaders, both in government and in the church? It is a rare leader who can keep his focus on Christ, hear first God’s wisdom, and act according to what he or she is told.
Today, we see politics as such a dirty business. We need to remember, Solomon penned these words when nations were bowing to idols and sacrificing their children to them. Many nations ruled by brute force and superstition. The history of man’s government over man is a brutal one that has little virtue to claim.
Over time, it hasn’t gotten much better. One thousand years after Solomon lived, Paul exhorts Christians: “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1) He wasn’t exactly referring to a virtuous godly bunch of rulers then either. In fact, snubbing one another and ripping up the State of The Union address were child’s play (pun intended!) compared to some of the goings on in Rome. Yet Paul says that even they were placed in their authoritative position for a purpose, possibly known only to God Himself, and that Paul’s readers were to respect that.
I think that what is sad is we read of all the blessings and benefit that our leaders, our government and we would gain if all of them would want to receive those blessings, that wisdom has to offer, but they don’t.
Wisdom says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses fine silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.”
Of course, we all have these blessings available to us when we choose our big sister’s good advice and walk on her wise paths. And remember, we aren’t just necessarily talking about monetary or material blessings here, though it may sound that way. There is so much more that we could have if we choose wise ways. However, in this passage she is actually offering herself to our leadership. “Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By wisdom kings reign and rulers make laws that are just. By wisdom princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.” We will see Solomon revisit this theme often as well, that the people are blessed when their leaders choose wisdom rather than earthly power and charisma to reign.
We really need to continue in prayer for those over us. I know that it’s hard and easy to get discouraged and think that it doesn’t matter. It’s especially hard to pray for those we may vehemently disagree with, but in truth, they may need our prayers the most. Consider this, we may also need to keep praying for our opponents because it is one way that we can love those that we consider an enemy. That is surely a prayer that Christ will smile at. We can pray that our leaders can stop seeking their own way, their own power and their own fame and instead, seek the wisdom that God is offering them readily and freely, for all our benefit.
Prayer: Father God, Sovereign Lord, I pray that our national, state and local leaders, all our elected officials and appointees like judges, would all acknowledge your rule and wisdom. I pray for them to read Your Word and listen to Your Spirit, so that we can all benefit from the blessings that would flow through godly righteousness. In Jesus' name. amen.
Song: God of Our Fathers
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