A Devotional Study – April 2008

Hidden Wisdom

by Rod Myers

Study includes:

A. Prophetic Encouragement
B. Devotional Teaching
C. Weekly Scripture Meditation
D. Resource Corner

A. Prophetic Encouragement

The Body of Christ has been on a mining expedition. And the hidden things of God are being discovered.

In the last number of years we have gained heart-knowledge and life-experience concerning: The Father’s Heart, Warring from a Place of Rest, The Kingdom Now, Sowing Reaping and Blessing, Signs and Wonders following Believers ... and many more significant revelations. Without a doubt, these have been life-changing for us and the world that we influence every day.

All the way through this excavation journey we have constantly had to deal with the tensions of the gospel. To have life, we must lay it down. To be first, we must be last. To war, we must rest. To lead, we must serve. It has been a tough learning curve – a process that has constantly checked our motives and caused our wandering hearts to keep coming back to the bedrock: a vital and vibrant relationship with Jesus. We have found that our formulas just don’t have enough room for the bigness of God, so we have had to check them at the door and allow Holy Spirit to mess with our theology. The experience has been uncomfortable at first, kind of like jumping off the high diving board for the first time. The silly grin on our face as we resurface, however, announces a new level of freedom and courage.

Have you ever questioned God’s wisdom in requiring that we journey this way? We know that He created the universe using His wisdom (Psalm 104:24). And, we see so much order in His handiwork. So why does He require us to become undone? (If you have been to a conference with Heidi Baker, you will know the kind of undone I am talking about).

Are you having the same feeling as me, that the answer will likely be found in the midst of another biblical tension? Surely you’re not going to tell us that in order to be wise, we must be foolish?

B. Devotional Teaching

Let’s have a look at 1 Corinthians 1:18–25

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. (NIV)

God is clearly not impressed with our worldly wisdom. His plan is to destroy it … to undo it. Only then can we be free to accept the message of the Kingdom.

Most of us don’t have a problem with His logic about that. But what now? We’ve been a Jesus follower for some time and have often, like David, become “more undignified than this” (2 Samuel 6:22) We have become totally wrecked and can never go back. But what about wisdom? Do we walk around in a foolish stupor for the rest of our journey? Paul had a revelation:

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him,” but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. (1 Corinthians, 2:6-10 NIV)

It appears that there is a direct correlation between our ability to hear Holy Spirit and our level of wisdom. Once our own wisdom has been dealt with, and we have come into the Kingdom, we begin a process of gaining more and more godly wisdom. This wisdom, however, is buried, and once again we need to begin a mining expedition … with Holy Spirit as the guide. We move from accepting the “foolishness of the Gospel” into a level of wisdom that is beyond our capability to conjure up. But we do need to search for it. It is the same wisdom that God used when He spoke the universe into existence. (Psalm 104:24) Creative wisdom! That is worth all of the digging!

Now that we know how to get it, how do we tell someone has it? This is an important question for those of us seeking out mentors for our journey. James had it figured out. Take a look at the fruit:

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13 NIV)

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. (James 3:17 NIV)

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:18 NIV)

Be honest with me. Have you initially judged people who don’t seem to be as passionate, or vocal, or radical, or “spiritual” as others, and later found that their lives were producing incredible fruit? When they speak, it is not often, but there is a quiet authority that brings peace and stability.

Conversely, have you been around people who appear to be super-spiritual, only to find later that they lack the fruit that godly wisdom produces?

How about people who are passionate, vocal, super-spiritual, and wise? Yes, they do exist! You can see their fruit.

My advice: Find a bunch of the fruit people and hang out with them. Before you know it, they will be handing you a shovel and pointing you toward the mineshaft.

C. Scripture Meditation

D. Resource Corner

These items can be ordered on line at our STORE or by calling our toll free order line at 1-866-765-9286.

CD: Crushing Religious Strongholds by Patricia King

Book: Face to Face with God by Bill Johnson

Book: Compassion by James Goll & Michal Ann Goll

CD: Show your Glory by Steve Swanson

And remember, God loves you with an everlasting love!