Wisdom of God

James 1:4-8

"But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  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.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

As a believer is set upon by various trials throughout his life, he will come to realize how important the wisdom of God is to combat those situations.  This wisdom cannot be found in the world for it is a wisdom that comes only from God's Word.  This wisdom helps the believer to know the purpose of the trial he is facing, how God will use this trial to further His will in the believer's life, and will allow the believer to joyously submit to God in all circumstances because He knows that all is for God's glory.

Although God gladly and freely gives of His wisdom, He desires that His children come before Him in submission and ask for His wisdom when they come to the realization that they are inadequate at handling the various trials and situations in their lives.  A believer is to ask for God's wisdom in complete faith with no wavering doubts on whether God can or will answer his prayer.  God is faithful to answer every believer's prayer if he asks in confident faith.  His answer may not always be what the believer was expecting and at times His answer may be "no," but He knows every believer's needs and what is needed in every trial and every circumstance to help His children grow and to further His own will.  Because we can trust God fully to bring about provision and answers at the correct time and in the correct manner, we can be joyful and stand firm on His Word as we know that everything is in the hands of God and He has power over all!  Praise God!

Romans 11:33

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!"

Fourth Beatitude - Blessed are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

Matthew 5:6

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."

If we try to have a close, personal relationship with God through our own personal merit and works, we will never succeed because as fallen sinners we have no righteousness in ourselves and are at enmity with God spiritually.  Before salvation, God says that we are the children of the evil one and do not have the truth in us; therefore, we cannot rely on our own "good" works, for they are seen as filthy rags in God's sight.  If, however, we place our faith in Christ's righteousness and blood sacrifice on the cross alone for our salvation and then seek after spiritual growth as a new believer by following God's commands in the Bible, then He promises to grant us peace and joy as we grow closer to Him.

James 4:8 states, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."  As newly

Third Beatitude - Blessed are the Meek

Matthew 5:5

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Meek: Meekness is the opposite of out of control.  It does not imply weakness or laziness but great restraint and control over one's thoughts, desires, and actions by the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is demonstrated by having restraint over words said, control over emotions when aroused, the ability to forgive when wronged, reigning in one's thoughts when temptation comes knocking, etc.  It is the hidden strength of the spirit that monitors our first reactions of what we feel like doing, thinking, or saying when a situation arises and then changes our desires to what would be pleasing to God and in obedience to His commandments.

Inherit the earth:  At times, it may seem that everything that is evil prospers and everything that is good fails.  While God is always working His sovereign