Wisdom Wednesday.05

2 O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

The Christmas carol, O Come, O Come Immanuel, is one I have sung during many a Christmas season. What endears me to this hymn is the slower tempo, and the longing for a Rescuer which expresses itself through the forlorn musical notes.

The second verse bursts forth with a longing for wisdom from on high. As we read or sing the words we are reminded that God is Creator and The One who has ordered all things by His power and might.

“God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Furthermore, we take heed that we are a people longing for understanding. We want to know where we’re headed, and the best way to get there. We are a people who seek knowledge.

And unfortunately, I sometimes get in my own way. I’m prone to think I know, and if I don’t I can figure it out.

Anytime a product is delivered on our doorstep and needs to be assembled, I simply take pieces out of the box and begin to build. Most of the time I’m fairly handy and end up with the correct finished product. But, there are times when I run into a problem, and it’s then that I go searching for the instruction booklet.

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A simplistic example I know, but similar behavior holds true in my spiritual life. I tend to think I can handle the day to day and routine of following Jesus.

I’ve got the basics of Bible reading down, journaling, and talking to Him in prayer. I’m desirous of maintaining a generous heart and grace-filled countenance. I am purposefully attempting to do the things that would help me look like Christ. But then there’s the unexpected fork in the road, and I am left pondering without full knowledge or understanding. I feel stuck, and in need of help.

It’s then that I go looking for the instruction book, the Bible. When I don’t know what to do or which way to go, I’m eagerly asking God, as in this carol, for direction. I’m wanting wisdom to come to me from on high. It’s in those stumped moments I want Immanuel, God with us, to come down and show me the way to go.

And He did. Jesus came to us, a babe, born from God’s will. He grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and men. He is the Word of God who became flesh and dwelt among us.1

““Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of His servant David,”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭68‬-‭69‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And He does, still by His Spirit, come as wisdom to teach, guide and direct us in truth and righteousness.2

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Immanuel, God is with us. He is our wisdom from on high.

And so how now will we respond?

Live Love Brightly,

Lisa

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1 Luke 2:52

2 John 14:26