The Gift of Spiritual Wisdom

The Gift of Spiritual Wisdom – Today’s Devotional – November 28, 2023

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” —James 1:5

What is Wisdom? Omniscient Wisdom: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8-9

Wisdom is spiritual discernment, a gift from God that we receive by praying [every day] and asking the Holy Spirit to impart in us. James reminds us of the importance of asking the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s perspective, thoughts, and ways. Wisdom is possessing the godly knowledge to respond to a given situation as God would respond with His higher thoughts and ways.

Even in our routine activities of daily life, we require Divine wisdom. Wisdom is the spiritual ability to perceive the true nature of a situation and to implement the will of God in that situation. Wisdom is the practical application of God’s truth to every aspect of our lives. The Holy Spirit imparts the wisdom to empower us with knowing what God wants us to do and giving us the strength to do it.

Most of us are familiar with King Solomon who requested an understanding heart. God’s Answer: “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee” (1 Kings 3:12).

Yet there is another Bible character who possessed the “spirit of wisdom,” one that we have most likely overlooked, Joshua.

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the ‘spirit of wisdom’ for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.” —Deuteronomy 34:9

To be full of the spirit of wisdom, Joshua possessed the character trait of total reliance on God. Yes, Joshua’s character revealed the faith, trust, humility, and surrender required to receive godly wisdom. He was not prideful or overconfident in his abilities, Joshua was a true worshiper. Yet God revealed another spirit in his heart, the spirit of fear.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7

From reading the story of Moses whom God considered the greatest prophet in Israel, we can only imagine Joshua’s insecurities of being appointed as the next leader of the nation of Israel. He possessed the righteous characteristics to be chosen by God, yet, Joshua had a character defect that God would require him to relinquish before they entered the Promised Land.

The modern viewpoint is to embrace Joshua’s feelings as normal anxiety, but we must accept God’s perfect discernment of the spirit of fear within Joshua. The spirit of fear is from Satan. Fear manifests itself in various forms such as anxiety, worry, doubt, and trepidation, which are all bitter fruits that prevent us from doing God’s will.

We fear because we are fixated on the presenting challenge and our limited abilities instead of God’s Divine power. Confessing that we do not trust God is something that no believer desires to come to grips with, but we must.

Reflect deeply on this question: How can we possess spiritual wisdom that gives us the spiritual ability to perceive the true nature of a situation and to implement the will of God in that situation when we possess a spirit of fear?

God is aware of the fragility and fears resulting from life’s uncertainties in the human heart. The unknown future is the number one reason that fear overpowers and reigns in the hearts of unbelievers. Fear among unbelievers is justified. How can unbelieving humanity rely on their perception and abilities when this is our Father’s world?

The Believer’s Creed: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13

Since we have Three Divine Powers and guardian angels working on our behalf 24/7, God has definitive and righteous expectations of all believers: Humility, surrender, faith, trust, wisdom, confidence, courage, and perseverance are the core characteristics we must possess to serve God.

Again we must self-reflect, What is preventing us from placing our faith and trust in God? We can only have experiential knowledge of God’s character when we study the Scriptures, rely on God’s promises, pray for the manifestation of God’s power, and share our testimonies of His faithfulness in our lives.

Both the spirit of wisdom and the spirit of fear cannot reside in our hearts. Fear cancels out spiritual wisdom and prevents God from fulfilling His purpose for us which always results in His honor and glory. God has chosen us to possess and display the love, wisdom, and courage that Christ demonstrated in His earthly life. Many believers miss out on their greatest blessings because of the spirit of fear.

When God calls us, His Divine Wisdom and Providence will change a situation that would prevent bringing glory to His Holy Name. Moses dealt with people who were rebellious, and disobedient, and who loved pagan practices. But God intervened and Joshua would not experience the heartaches that Moses endured, Joshua would lead the younger generations into the Promised Land.

God’s Divine Intervention: “ ‘Because they did not follow Me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years of age or older who came out of Egypt will see the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob— not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun—because they did follow the LORD wholeheartedly’ ” (Numbers 32:11-12).

God chose Joshua to succeed Moses because he possessed the spirit of wisdom that demonstrated he would be just as faithful as his predecessor. Yes, Joshua’s character was one of total reliance on God, but his fear caused him to doubt God’s power to empower him as a spiritual leader.

God’s Command: “Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel” (Joshua 1:2). Although Joshua possessed leadership abilities, his fear produced cowardice instead of relying on the godly wisdom he would receive to lead Israelites to the Promised land.

God’s Promises to Joshua: “…as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (Joshua 1:5-7).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

In verse 9, we notice a change in God’s tone when speaking to Joshua. God instructed Joshua twice to be strong and courageous. Because nothing in the human heart is hidden from God, He knew Joshua was still holding on to fear. But the third time, God confronted Joshua, “Have I not commanded you?” Because Joshua possessed a spirit of wisdom, he understood that God considered his fear as disobedience.

When studying the Bible, we become aware of God’s Character and how He instructs the righteous. God does not coddle or indulge our feelings. God did not say, “Joshua, because this is your first leadership position, I know that you are fearful and that’s to be expected.”

When God chooses us to fulfill His work, He is aware of our character strengths and weaknesses and is prepared to empower us with godly wisdom and strength when we pray to receive His Divine Help and Attributes.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” —Psalm 32:8

Throughout the Scriptures, God reminds us of His Divine Providence and Power and commands us to be strong and courageous in all situations. Hallelujah! We serve the Most-High God who proclaims, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:8).

Prayer: God, we thank You for the privilege of receiving Your Divine wisdom. We ask for the anointing, presence, power, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.

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