Have you really asked God, or just your image of Him?

Probing Proverbs: 8:4-5 “I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people. You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.

This passage encourages me so much; it really shows the heart of our Lord. Notice, first the call is to all. This is important because the world has accused our God of playing favorites. That is due to a misunderstanding of God calling out a nation of His own. God does not “favor” Israel; He has bestowed a special stewardship on her that comes with blessings and clear accountabilities. That is also true about the “Church” during this age. God does not love or care more for Israelites or Christians than He does for any other of the humans He created. ALL were made in His image. He decided based on His wisdom that He would select a group to represent Him to the world. When they follow, great blessings come from Him and anyone that has joined in that Truth experience the same blessings. When they rebel and refuse to follow, they receive the consequences their decisions brought. 

Again, let’s remember, if we are claiming to be honest, the accusation: “How can God...” is in reality an oxymoron! If we see that He is God than He can do whatever He wants. We don’t see Him as that, we see Him more as a glorified human and we have the right to challenge Him anytime we desire. If God is GOD...that states it all. He could do anything He wants and we have no right to raise any objection. Due to His tremendous grace, He has afforded us the right to not only question Him, but also reject Him and even defy Him. What He has not done is wave the consequences for our decisions. In Scripture we see that when we approach our God with questions...remembering Who we are talking to, He is very open and desirous of us entering into a dialogue with Him. He does not always give us the answer...Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law... for various reasons that He has. However, He does show in many ways that it is not wrong to come to Him with questions. Doubts are another matter, and accusations are on a totally different playing field. God loves all His creation equally. He chose Israel to share the opportunity of a deeper relationship with Him and now He has chosen the Church. So Wisdom is calling out to ALL, not some. The other aspect that encourages my heart in this passage is how Wisdom does not insult or demean those without wisdom, instead Wisdom admonishes in an encouraging way. Notice; Wisdom does not chastise the “simple” or “foolish” but encourages the right choice. The simple need to USE good judgment and the foolish need to SHOW some understanding. 

The incredible truth here is that the very One encouraging these actions is also the One that will supply that “good judgment” and “understanding”...IF the ones hearing will just obey. What is that obedience? It’s not climbing a mountain, or conquering a kingdom, or some other incredible work or task that the false god’s of this world place on their followers. It is simply humbling our heart and ASKING for wisdom!

James 1:5–8 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

Are you in need of wise counsel and advice? Humble your heart and go to God. Ask Him for His thoughts; He loves to guide those that depend on Him!