Previous | Next 

REFLECTIONS
The wisdom of God

Lena Bergen Friesen

Colossians 2:3, Genesis 28:17, James 1:5-6, Matthew 11:25

Some time ago, I read of a survey in which college students were asked whether they believed that God would know the answers to questions about the science of outer space. Many of them responded in the negative.

This is no surprise to me, because I would no doubt have believed as they did when I was in high school – except for the experience I had in grade 10. At the time, I was a new Christian and had as yet not learned how practical God wants to be, and is, if we invite His help when we encounter problems, no matter now great or small. For Him, nothing is too hard.

In the remote school district where I grew up, those of us who wanted to continue our education after elementary school had to take it by correspondence. This arrangement worked very well for our parents, for we teenagers could first help with the harvest before delving into our studies, and by the time spring arrived, we had finished our courses and could again help with the farm work.

One wintry day during my grade 10 studies, I was unable to arrive at a solution for a science question. I resorted to what I often did when I had a problem: I got out my Bible and prayed to the Lord for some portion of Scripture to help me. I opened my Bible and was directed to Colossians 2. When I came to verse 3, I was overwhelmed as I read, “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (I suppose that at that moment I had a glimpse of how Jacob felt when he had the vision of angels in Genesis 28. He said, “How awesome is this place!”) Then I prayed something like this: ”Lord Jesus, if in You are hidden all wisdom and knowledge, then You know the answer to this science problem that I cannot get. Please help me to solve it.”

James 1:5 states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all . . . and it will be given to him.” However, this promise carries an added stipulation: “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt” (1:6). I must have believed that day, because when I went back to my assignment, I got the answer! This was an amazing revelation for me.

One day, Jesus prayed, “I praise You Father . . . because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25). That is precisely what God did for me that day. He gave me, a babe in Christ, a tiny glimpse of His omniscience and helped me to grow in my limited understanding of His ways.

Reflections is a column of brief reflections on Scripture passages. This one is by Lena Bergen Friesen of Waterloo, Ont. Freelance submissions for Reflections (200-250 words in length) are welcome.

Previous | Next 

Last modified November 7, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.