Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Willing to Yield?

Tuesday 7-19-2016   Home in Modesto
Scripture Reading:  2 kings 17   2 Chron 28   Psalm 46   James 3
S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. NKJV

O.  Brother James was a practical leader.  He dealt with the issues at hand, making corrections and promoting godly living.  Here he deals with the Source of true wisdom.  It comes from above.  It begins with God.  It is pure, peaceable and gentle.  And willing to yield!  It is merciful.  It treats all with the same kindness and does not hide behind a false image.  Wisdom from above produces righteousness and peace. 

A.  What!  Wisdom that is willing to yield?  No way!  I am right and you are wrong!  Too often I am prone to respond with my own brand of wisdom.  Aye!  But my sinful human nature has tainted my “wisdom”.  My wisdom is flawed.  It is not perfectly pure as God’s wisdom is. Sometimes it is not gentle, not peaceable, and certainly not ready to yield.  So where can I find this “wisdom from above”?  In James 1:5 he writes “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.” NKJV  And wisdom from above also flows like a river from God’s Holy Word. 

P.  Oh Lord, how many times do I have to request Your wisdom from above?  It seems that I use up my supply every day, sometimes every few hours.  Don’t let me ever forget that true wisdom does not naturally flow just from my past experiences, although I may have learned much from those experiences.  True wisdom, pure wisdom, unselfish wisdom, gentle wisdom, peace seeking wisdom has its source in Your heart. Your wonderful wisdom may even make me willing to yield my position to bring about a peaceable solution.  Amen.


Ralph 

No comments:

Post a Comment