From the Pastor’s Heart OP-ED BY DR. ROBERT KENNEDY
This past week, someone thought it important to send me another conspiracy theory about the Covid-19 vaccine. The claim is that it came from expert scientists and an outstanding pastor. I began to read and as soon as I realized what it was, I did what I have done to any such theory sent to me. I “can them” or “place them in file thirteen,” as the common sayings go.
I disposed of the email quickly because I am aware of the subtlety with which Satan is seeking to pull me in his game of deception, as he is doing to so many, with whom I am acquainted. So now I am praying for wisdom, as I have never prayed before. I am seeking the wisdom that comes from God, for I think the effort at Satanic deception is getting more intense every day.
I do not want to speak for everyone, but if we were to have a confessional service, some individuals might say, “we have all been deceived a time or two before, and the results have been devastating.” At the moment, my heart is going out for many of the people worldwide who are caught up in all of the conspiracy theories that are leading to their destruction. In my mind, I say that they deserve better, but they seem to have chosen ignorance over wisdom, thus facing the many problems that need not be.
Here is the central theme of this reflection. Even though you might think you are a rather wise person, quite knowledgeable about what is taking place globally, you need a higher, superior, heavenly, spiritual wisdom. You might be an expert in cybersecurity or any other social and scientific knowledge area, but there needs to be a caution that says, do not be so arrogant that you do not seek counsel from others who are wiser than you are.
Remember the prophet Daniel, how he called his friends and together prayed for wisdom when Daniel was called to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2). Daniel sought the wisdom of God. Again, and again, we read about Jesus how he sought the wisdom of His Father. He even spent whole nights in prayer to get the wisdom from above. So do not allow the contemporary culture of self-trust to stop your prayer for wisdom. Our culture of self-trust has gotten us into enough trouble, so we need to look outside ourselves to the One who can help us discern what is false and what is right in the times in which we are living.
The apostle James tells us:
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. (James 1:5)
James also makes clear:
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. And, it is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. (James 3:17, 18 KJV)
The man who collected and wrote the Bible Proverbs was profoundly wise, but he instructs us, in a wise mother’s voice:
My child, listen to what I say and treasure my commands.
Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.)
Search for them as you would for silver,
seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom!
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:1–6 KJV).
I do not know your need, but on my prayer list for wisdom I include the eleven following components:
1. How to find and appreciate the truth
2. How to know the will of God in and for my life
3. How to make wise decisions
4. How to plan aright
5. How to speak wisely, especially when I am provoked
6. How to realize my failures and mistakes, and how to correct them
7. How to deal with the perplexities of the daily crisis about me
8. How to understand the word of God for my life and to share with others
9. How to discern the greatest needs around me
10. How to deal with difficult people and those who disagree with me
11. How to be effective in my work as a pastor.
Here are some words of wisdom from a great spiritual writer of the 19th century:
To parents as they seek to train their children:
:
If you lack wisdom, go to God; He has promised to give liberally. Pray much, and fervently, for divine aid. One rule cannot be followed in every case. The exercise of sanctified judgment is now needful. Be not hasty and agitated and approach your children with censure. Such a course would only cause rebellion in them. You should feel deeply over any wrong course you have taken, which may have opened a door for Satan to lead your children by his temptations. If you have not instructed them regarding the violation of the laws of health, blame rests upon you. You have neglected important duty, which result may be seen in the wrong practices of your children. (CG 458.2)
To the church as to how to confront the world:
Peculiar and rapid changes will soon take place, and God’s people are to be endowed with the Holy Spirit so that with heavenly wisdom, they may meet the emergencies of this age, and as far as possible, counteract the demoralizing movements of the world. If the church is not asleep, if the followers of Christ watch and pray, they may have light to comprehend and appreciate the movements of the enemy. (ChS 254.5)
To individual persons as they seek to deal with Spiritual warfare:
No man is safe for a day or an hour without prayer. Especially should we entreat the Lord for wisdom to understand His Word. Here are revealed the wiles of the tempter and the means by which he may be successfully resisted. Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing his own interpretation upon passages, by which he hopes to cause us to stumble. We should study the Bible with humility of heart, never losing sight of our dependence upon God. While we must constantly guard against the devices of Satan, we should pray in faith continually: “Lead us not into temptation.” (DD 12.5)
I have said enough to encourage anyone who needs to practice praying for wisdom. Remember the assurance that if we lack wisdom, we need to ask God, for he has promised to give more than we can ask for or think to ask for. Let us seek it, for with God it is not in short supply. He does not close up his storehouse. He is not going into bankruptcy. No, he is not filing a chapter 11 or 13.
