CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 881

“Practical Wisdom”

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16)

How can Jesus expect us to be as shrewd as a snake yet remain innocent? Indeed, the word ‘shrewd’ carries with it an implication of deceitfulness and evil cunning. If we examine the root word from the original Greek for our text we find that this word translated as ‘shrewd’ or ‘wise’ carries the meaning of ‘practical wisdom’. Further study of the word ‘innocent’ reveals that Jesus is exhorting us to have street smarts tempered with pure motives.

The practical wisdom that Jesus is calling for causes us to take action guided by a moral compass founded upon biblical Christian values. We are to do the right things, at the right time, and for the right reasons when in the midst of wolves.

In the book of Esther we see practical wisdom in action. Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:15-16)

All the Jews were to be killed in the Persian Empire. Not even the king himself could revoke the edict. Esther was a Jewess and the emperor’s queen. Compelled by Mordecai she decided to act.

Esther demonstrated the boldness to do the right thing in approaching the king saying: “If I perish, I perish.” She remained watchful and aware of what the enemy was planning. Esther was wary and cautious in her approach to the king. She sought the Lord’s favor and power through prayer and fasting. She knew that success was to be had by His hand and through wisdom imparted to her by the Lord. It was through two separate invitations to dinner that she created the right time for the best possible context for success. Esther remained open and transparent. Her motives were pure. She gave credit to Mordecai about the news of the assassination plot and did not accuse Haman behind his back but rather invited him to dinner with the king to be confronted face to face.

Jesus did not promise a cake walk for the Christian in this world. He was up front about the trials and persecution that lay in store for us. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

How does one obtain practical wisdom? By living a life that follows after Jesus, the study of His Word, and learning from experience. We learn from the experiences of others as outlined in God’s Word as well as from our own life experience. 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 competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

May you learn to navigate your way through life by practicing ‘practical wisdom’. May you be shrewd as snakes and remain innocent as doves.