Wisdom and Those Who Follow Him

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2016 4:51 pm Post subject: Wisdom and Those Who Follow Him

Wisdom and Those Who Follow Him

Scripture:

For who among men is he that can know the counsel of God, or who can think what the will of God is? For the thoughts of mortal men are fearful, and our counsels uncertain. For the corruptible body is a load upon the soul, and the earthly habitation presses down the mind that muses upon many things. And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth: and with labor do we find the things that are before us. But the things that are in heaven, who shall search out? And who shall know your thought, except you give wisdom, and send your Holy Spirit from above: And so the ways of them that are upon earth may be corrected, and men may learn the things that please you? ( Wisdom 9:13-18 )

For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas you are such a one, as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ. I beseech you for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus, whom I have sent back to you. And do you receive him as my own depths. Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel. But without your counsel I would do nothing: that your good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from you that you might receive him again for ever: Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord? If therefore you count me a partner, receive him as myself. (Philemon 9-10, 12-17)

And there went great multitudes with him. And turning, he said to them: If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, having a mind to build a tower, does not first sit down and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it: Lest, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him, saying: This man began to build and was not able to finish. Or, what king, about to go to make war against another king, does not first sit down and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, comes against him? Or else, while the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desires conditions of peace. So likewise every one of you that does not renounce all that he possesses cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:25-33)

Reflection:

Some believe, through their arrogance and ignorance, that we have the wisdom to understand all which is in the universe of His creation. It is such arrogance which causes some to see what He has created and then assume that because we see it, nothing was the cause; that somehow, without cause, all came into being.

Generations studied what they could see and came to conclusions from their observations, but they do not see as God sees, nor do they reason as God reasons, for what they observe and from what they reason is incomplete. The arrogant see, but they do not see everything. The arrogant reason, but they often do not have all the facts from which to reason correctly. There is but One who has all sight and all knowledge; therefore, no matter what is considered as settled science, logic or philosophical reasoning; there is but One who knows for certain whether the conclusions drawn from the observations of the children of His creation are correct.

It is not that we should not study or seek to learn, but not all things may be understood from observation of the dirt, water and sky. As if our challenges to comprehension are not enough, the evil one seeks to sow doubt and confusion by which those who profess to see are blinded. If our desire is to know and comprehend truth, to know and comprehend that which is critical to the soul, we should seek the guidance and wisdom of the creator of all truth and knowledge.

Though all the workings of the creation of God are fascinating to observe, all the knowledge of the mechanics of His creation has little meaning if we do not first understand the blessings of the heart and the meaning of His Word. It is through the caring and love of one another by which we may join together and accomplish great things. While we must defend ourselves against those consumed by evil, their number decreases with the choice of each person who looks to approach one another with love and charity, for it is through the caring of another by which the soul is enlightened and hearts are brought to rejoice.

We may complain of our differences or that we do not have enough by which to share, but as we allow evil to separate us, we only allow fear, misery and strife to control our days. If we allow God to be our guide, we will find the path to and blessings of joining hands with one another rather than raising hands against one another.

The dissatisfaction to which God calls us to address is not what may quench our selfishness, but what we may do for one another in selflessness. Our work is not done while the poor and sick are suffering. Though affliction, conflict, crime and war are not at our door, we should not be satisfied while affliction, conflict, crime and war remains at the door of others. We should seek, with the guidance of the Lord, to remove all misery and strife. This cannot be accomplished through the selfish heart, but by the selfless soul enabled with His wisdom.

We may view the tribulations which surround us as troubles or trials. We are often tempted to believe we are helpless in the face of trouble. We see it as events beyond our control. It is perhaps something we may endure until it passes, and then, if it does not break us, we may move on. In many cases, we fail to learn such that we fall into the same traps over and over.

A trial is a test; a test of that of which we are made and a test of what constitutes our faith. In our trials, we may be tempted to face them alone, but we are stronger if we allow Him to guide us through. We must trust that if we turn to Him and work as He asks of us, at times, joining hands with one another, we can prevail in the face of even the most extreme situations. No matter the cross we are asked to carry, if we turn to Him, He will give us the courage and strength through which we may endure.

As we turn to Him, we must also remember that anything we put before Him becomes the source of our undoing. It is for this reason Jesus told us we must hate our family and all within our life if we are to follow Him. He did not tell us this so that we should turn in hate against all within our life, to include the parents He commands us to revere and honor (Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 19:3, Deuteronomy 5:16, 27:16, Matthew 15:4, 19:19, Mark 7:10, 10:19, Luke 18:20, Ephesians 6:2-3), but so we would understand the magnitude of love which we should have for Him over all else. There are those who would take His words as literal, but we must remember, He taught us through a variety of means, to include the use of parable, metaphor and hyperbole.

If we are to understand what Jesus teaches, we must study His Word. If we are confused or uncertain as to His meaning, we should also remember that He sent us the Holy Spirit to remind us of all which He has taught and to guide us in truth. (John 14:26, 1 John 5:6) We, then, should not seek to be wise by our own estimation (Proverbs 3:6-8, 26:5, 12, 28:11, Romans 12:15-17), but seek His wisdom by which we may lead our lives, do what is right and just, and prepare for the day we may enter into His kingdom. (Deuteronomy 16:19, Matthew 7:24, John 3:21)

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier