Asking for Wisdom – Michael Youssef

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17).

James 1:5 says, “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.” What a relief! God will not only give us wisdom in our moments of need; He will give it generously.

Many ask for wisdom and direction with the assumption that God is a reluctant giver, but He, more than anyone, wants us to walk in righteousness. The problem is that many who ask for God’s wisdom are not willing to obey it. Often we ask God for the answer to our problem or situation, only to ignore Him when He actually responds. But we cannot pick and choose when to obey God and when to go our own way. Having a divided heart—or double-mindedness—is something for which Scripture offers a solution: “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8).

A man can go his whole life living by worldly wisdom only to become a sudden prayer warrior when he gets cornered. However, God’s wisdom is not like a bolt of lightning—it’s the kind of wisdom that grows in your spirit on a daily basis as you feed yourself on the Word of God, drawing near to Him. The wisdom of God is not something we can take from God and then leave. It is cultivated through a living relationship with Christ.

Receiving wisdom is simple: You ask for it; God gives it to you; and then you practice it. You ask for it. He gives it to you. You practice it. And before you know it, you are living by God’s wisdom, not the world’s wisdom. Instead of waiting to seek God’s wisdom when the next crisis comes, commit to seeking His wisdom every day.

Prayer: Lord, give me Your wisdom. I know You are a generous God, and here I am, ready to obey. May Your Spirit make my heart willing to follow You at all times so that I might practice Your wisdom throughout my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.