Funny Sayings
Funny Thing #6
Proverbs 2:6b-8 MSG
James 1:5 ESV
When I was younger I’m not sure I valued common sense much. I think probably that’s because there weren’t any books written extolling the value of common sense.
In school we did not discuss common sense values. We had a curriculum and we stuck to it. In math class we did math. In reading we read. Even in gym class (even though we didn’t read from a book) we ran if we were told to run. We were not allowed to ask questions and we absolutely were not allowed to argue. Pretty much everything we were taught was from a book and I was a bookish sort of kid. I loved learning and I loved books so I stuck to what it said in a book.
In my younger years I don’t remember talking much about common sense either. I do remember my dad explaining things to me and ending a sentence with, “makes sense, right?”
That made me wonder if it really made sense.
In 1950 America we didn’t really have long discussions about things we were told by our parents to do. Whatever they said was a fact. It was something we had to do. We did not discuss any other possibilities.
Maybe that’s why todays quote made me smile: “Common sense is like deodorant. The people who need it most never use it.”—Anonymous
When I read it I thought how easy it would be if we could just ‘roll on’ common sense.
Proverbs 2:6b-8 gives us another take on it. We are told by wise Solomon, “God gives out Wisdom free, is plain spoken in Knowledge and Understanding. He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.”
Now..that makes perfect sense.
When I read that verse it gave me hope.
Since there is no “roll-on” common sense and we didn’t study common sense in school, but we’re supposed to have it and use it, where do we get it?
I’ve been told that some people naturally have common sense and others do not have common sense.
Is that just the way the cookie crumbles?
According to Solomon that’s not the case.
The Wise King gives me great hope! He tells us that God gives us wisdom freely.
If we want or need wisdom we only need to ask for it!
Solomon also ‘likens’ wisdom and understanding to those who put their hand in God’s hand (those who live well) and he says God will provide His abundant storehouse of wisdom for them.
In the New Testament, in James 1:5 we read, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Receiving wisdom is a solemn promise and we only need to ask for it. When we ask, God will give it freely and generously. He even says it will be given without reproach. God will gladly give it with no expectations or strings attached.
In this world that is rare and it’s a bit difficult to fathom.
Usually only a good parent, spouse, or our closest friends offer words without any reproach. It can be difficult to obtain a great gift of advice that is freely given. In other words the other person doesn’t give any unwarranted advice at all when we go to them asking for a great gift.
It’s a ‘no questions asked’ kind of deal.
Those kinds of gifts can be hard to come by in today’s world.
That’s what God offers us. Without asking any questions God promises the wisdom we need. According to James whenever we ask, it WILL be given.
…which is actually easier than a roll on!
Spiritual Practice: Wisdom
Ask God to give you wisdom. It’s a solid promise!
In God, Deborah
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