It was flooding in California. As the flood waters were rising, a man was on the front porch of his house. When another man in a row boat came by.
The man in the row boat told the man on the porch to get in and he'd be saved. The man on the porch said, "no, I have faith in God, and I am waiting on God to save me".
The flood waters kept rising and the man had to go to the second floor of his house. A man in a motor boat came by and told the man in the house to get in because he had come to rescue him. The man in the house said "no thank you. I have perfect faith in God and am waiting for God to save me."
The flood waters kept rising. Pretty soon the water was up to the man's roof and he got out on his roof. A helicopter then came by, lowered a rope and the pilot shouted down to the man to climb up the rope because the helicopter had come to rescue him. The man on the roof wouldn't get in. He said to the pilot "I have faith in God and I am waiting for God to rescue me."
The flood waters kept rising and the man in the house drowned.
When he arrived in the presence of the Lord, he asked God "where were you? I had perfect faith in you, but you let me drown."
God responded. "I sent you a row boat, but you did not get in. I sent you a motor boat but you would not get in,. Then, I set you a helicopter but you refused to climb aboard"
Classic Joke! I am sure you have heard it before. But it makes a clever point. When you ask God for help, be ready to receive it, however it comes.
This morning I read James 1. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." I said that's me! I need wisdom in a lot of areas of my life. So I prayed asking the Lord to give me wisdom. And honestly what I was wanting was a dramatic instant change in my thinking. I hoped that I would immediately have the wisdom on how to love more, serve more, make more money, grow my business and lose weight!
Then I was reminded of the above joke. Wisdom has come to me. Sometimes it though friendly advice or a Godly example in my life. Some times it's books I have read (or need to read).
But the greatest source of wisdom was in my hands. God's word, the Bible. Would I receive it? Would I dig in? Would I climb aboard the Bible train (ok that's cheesy).
So my prayer became. Psalm 119: 16 "Lord may I delight in your decrees; so that I will not neglect your word. May I be wise enough to receive and seek guidance and true wisdom where it is found"
Got Wisdom? It's closer then you think. I pray you are willing to receive it.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.(2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)
P.S. Kate, my 3 year old daughter, saw the picture on this article then laughed and said. "That's not safe daddy"
She is Right. It's not safe to stand on the roof of your house or to reject wisdom when it is offered! GREAT WISDOM KATE!!!
Jesus is our Lord and King. Have you received that wisdom?
1 comments:
Chris, I've been focused on that same passage lately. Thanks for the encouraging words. - David
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