Wisdom

Wisdom

Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right. Yes, there is a time and a way for everything, even as people’s troubles lie heavily upon them.

Ecclesiastes 8:5-6

Have you ever been so perplexed or troubled by the injustice of a situation that you

• (a) had trouble eating (or ate too much)?
• (b) had trouble sleeping (or slept too much)?
• (c) didn’t want to be around another person (or wanted to control that person’s life)?

When I feel the injustice of a situation, my mind tends to work overtime. I conjure up various things I might say or do that in my opinion would “set the record straight.” Sometimes I’ve acted on these impulses, but the problem with impulses is that they are, well, impulsive! Impulsive acts sometimes turn into careless, emotional outbursts that do more harm than good.

Have you noticed that wise people are not usually impulsive people? They’ve learned that we often run into trouble when we act impetuously.

The Bible is filled with examples of people who chose not to act impulsively and instead sought wisdom in the way they dealt with injustice. The Old Testament prophet Nathan is one example. God sent Nathan to confront King David with his sins of coveting, adultery, and murder after David slept with Bathsheba and then attempted to cover up his sin by having her husband killed.

Nathan wisely told David a story about a rich man who took and killed a poor man’s lamb. When David heard the story, he was furious and said, “Anyone who would do a thing like that deserves to die!” “You,” Nathan responded to David, “are that man!” Rather than acting impulsively, Nathan made a wise presentation—and it was highly effective.

When troubles lie heavily upon us, the wise thing to do is ask God to help us find a time and a way to do what is right. He will.

Father,

Thank you for examples of wise people in your Word. Thank you that all wisdom dwells in you. Amen.