“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” [James 3:17-18]
“But God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” [Hebrews 12:10-11]
“Because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” [Proverbs 3:12]
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops persevereance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything… Blessesed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” [James 1:1-5,12]
“By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew” [Proverbs 3:19-20]
“Don’t be deceived- every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” [James 1:17-18]
Wisdom. Perseverance.
God used His wisdom to create the world and humanity… And called it good.
Whenever there is creation of something good, there is wisdom. He is the Creator of good. When we yield to the LORD to create something good, pure, etc. in us- that is heavenly wisdom. It makes a lot of sense that perseverence accompanies wisdom…
The book of Proverbs- often referred to as the book for wisdom- is formatted as sets of advices of a Father to his beloved son…
I’ve been thinking a lot about… How all He ever does is good… Seriously. It’s so simple- but my eyes have been opening more and more to the significance and power of this truth that I think He is in the process of grounding in my heart as deeply as I allow Him to. To be able to distinguish, see clearly, His acts of goodness from what He never intended. Imagining more of His first intentions (which has remained the same since-) and imagining closer to heaven-
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men… I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.” [Ecclesiastes 3:11]
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways you acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” [Proverbs 3:5-6]
Sigh.
You would have me finish this post today.
