by Bishop David Oyedepo
Welcome to September! I believe we must have been baptised into higher realms of faith all through the month of August, 2018. May we live under the intoxicating effect of faith all the days of our lives! This week, we shall examine the topic: Wisdom: A Fundamental Requirement in the School of Success!
According to scriptures, the master plan of God for us is good success (Joshua 1:8). He is not happy seeing His children as failures because failure is not in God’s nature. As far as He is concerned, failure connotes spiritual death. However, it is important to understand that as each blessing in scriptures demands the fulfilment of specific conditions, success has its mode of operation. Thus, in the school of success, wisdom is the principal thing and it is one of the core fundamentals of success. According to Ecclesiastes 10:5-10: There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. In other words, princes walk on foot while servants ride on horses as a result of foolishness. He said, ‘folly is set in great dignity’. When a prince begins to operate foolishly, he is toying with his princely office. God wants us to retain our horseback status; He does not want servants to take our place. He wants us to be a good success; an eternal Excellency –and the joy and pride of many generations. But this is only obtainable by forsaking foolishness and walking in wisdom. Please recognise that wisdom is the principal tool in maintaining our horseback position. As a king, Saul lost his exalted position for lack of wisdom (1 Samuel 13:13-14). We cannot lack wisdom and expect to be successful in our endeavours because success is attained and retained by wisdom. Things that have been developed and cultivated vigorously and carefully over the years can be destroyed in a matter of minutes for lack of wisdom. According to Ecclesiastes 10:10: ‘Wisdom is profitable to direct’. Therefore, it becomes very important to be guided and directed by this all-important tool for success.
Furthermore, we cannot go far in life without wisdom. For it is written: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7). The truth is that we need wisdom more than any other thing. If we must have good success, then we must pass the wisdom test because it is indispensable. For instance, Jesus’ life and ministry was guarded and guided by the accurate manifestation of wisdom. From childhood, He manifested wisdom and He grew up with it. Luke 2:40 and 52 says: And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. If Jesus needed and used wisdom, then we cannot do without it.
We can get wisdom through three major ways:
We get wisdom at salvation (1 Corinthians 1:30).
We get it by asking for it (James 1:5).
We can get it through the laying on of hands (Deuteronomy 34:9).
In conclusion, if we sense a lack of wisdom in our lives; we should ask God for it. He gives freely and generously too. He gave Solomon when he asked for it. Jesus had an abundance of it. The much of the wisdom we manifest depends on what attention we pay to the Word of faith we exercise to manifest it. The Bible says Jesus is the wisdom and power of God (1Corinthians 1:24). He is wisdom personified and He will dwell in you if you are born again. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Ruling your World, Exploring the Secrets of Success, Success Strategies and Success Systems. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively.
I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin