At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask what should I give you.”
1 Kings 3:5 HCSB

So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?     1 Kings 3:9 HCSB

There is knowledge which can be acquired through learning. There is street smarts which comes from spending time out in the streets. There is common sense which we believe someone is born with, but I believe it can be acquired as can wisdom.

Wisdom is God-given. There are some who believe they get their wisdom from their learning or it is inherited, but my friend true wisdom comes from God. True wisdom has a huge impact on our life just as the lack of it does also. True wisdom protects us from “stupid” mistakes.

If you want to resolve to do things better this year, the best place to start is to pray for God-given wisdom. James 1:5 says, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.”

If you want to be wise, all you have to do is ask God. God offered to give Solomon anything he asked for. Solomon asked for wisdom. Solomon could have asked for the destruction of his enemies, he could have asked to be wealthy, and live a long healthy life, but he asked for wisdom.

Because he pleased God so with this request, God granted Him great wisdom as well as riches and peace from his enemies.

We have just begun to study the Proverbs in our Friday morning Bible study. As I was reading chapters one and two this morning, I thought about just how valuable wisdom is in our lives. I strongly encourage you to read the first three chapters of Proverbs.

Solomon could certainly attest to how God blesses those who seek wisdom. He writes about this in the Proverbs. Wisdom can help in many other areas of our lives.

Proverbs 1:7 says the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Solomon walked in the LORD’s ways. This is why God appointed him as successor over his father, David. This is why God agreed to give him anything he asked for.

When we are in close fellowship with the LORD, we want God’s will. We are more apt to pray for things that please God, just as Solomon asked for wisdom and this pleased the LORD.

Proverbs 2:7 says God makes the righteous successful and shields those who live with integrity. Verse 8 says He guards the paths of justice and protects the way of His loyal followers. In verses 10-15 it speaks of how wisdom will deliver us from those who plot evil.

And, of course, one of my favorite passages is Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.” Verse 7 goes on to say you should not consider yourself wise, but should fear the LORD and turn from evil.

We live in a world full of evil. The best way to be protected from this evil is to act wisely. In order to do so, we must be in close fellowship with the Lord and should pray for wisdom and discernment.

If you want to make this New Year a better year, pray continually for wisdom and discernment. Acknowledge God in everything you do and trust in Him. Allow Him to lead you on the right paths.

I’m telling you from experience, this will make for a happier new year.

Have a great day and a Happy New Year!