New Year’s Day is right around the corner. A lot of people start the year off by making New Year’s Resolutions. I believe this is a good idea, which I have done every New Year for as long as I can remember. It motivates you to start doing something that needs doing or to continue doing something that has proved beneficial to you.
Francis Ridley Havergal says it well: “Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be, In working or in waiting, another year with Thee; Another year of progress, another year of praise, Another year of proving Thy presence all the days. Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face; Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast…Another year is dawning: Dear Father let it be, On earth or else in heaven, another year for Thee.” Among the many things that you seek to work on in the coming year, let one of them be a closer walk with Thee.
In having a closer walk with Thee, what is something that everyone could use? I believe King Solomon had his priorities right by asking the Lord when he became king for wisdom in how to rule Israel. Wisdom is something you can use in every area of your life. Wisdom to make the right decisions. Wisdom to spend each minute of every day wisely. Wisdom in relationships. You name it and wisdom can be applied to every area of your life. Wisdom makes the difference between making a decision and making the right decision.
The Holy Scriptures is not silent when it comes to wisdom. Solomon, the wisest person who even lived, left behind his thoughts on how to be wise when he wrote Proverbs—known as the Wisdom Literature in Scripture. Jesus’ brother, James, also wanted the followers of Christ to seek wisdom daily. “But if any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without approach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Can getting wisdom be so simple as just asking God for it? That is exactly the way it works. The Bible says just ask and then just receive. It’s that simple.
Let’s get a fresh start this coming year by first asking for wisdom in whatever, wherever, whenever and however situations arise during the year. Wisdom is as close as just asking!
