Turn First / David Jeremiah

Turn First 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   What do the following have in common in the Old Testament: weavers, embroiderers, craftsmen, a shrewd man, a caster of spells, ants, idol makers, and ship captains? They were all said to possess wisdom—actually skill, since the word for wisdom meant skill. We could call biblical wisdom “skill for living.”

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 9:9-12

Who doesn’t need skill for living? When it comes to raising children, managing money, solving health emergencies, planning for the future—there is no end to our need for skill or wisdom. There is also no end of sources to which we can turn. But we must be careful, for the Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom [or skill]” (Proverbs 9:10). That suggests God should be the first Person we turn to for advice and wisdom in life. The apostle James wrote the same thing: Whenever we are in need of wisdom, “ask of God, who gives to all liberally.”  Think about where you need wisdom and skill in your life today, and turn to God first with your request. He promises to give wisdom liberally.   The heav’ns declare Thy glory, Lord, in ev’ry star Thy wisdom shines. Issac Watts