To Present to Thee a Heart of Wisdom (Santosh Poonen)

Lord, teach us to number our days that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). There is a big difference between doing good and doing what you are good at. The latter will bring you the honor of men; the former is the example that Jesus set us (Acts 10:38). A heart of wisdom always… Is honest and humble: Our response to God’s rebuke against sin in our life must always be: honest like David’s, “I am the man… I have sinned” (II Samuel 12:7,13); and humble like the tax-gatherer’s, “God be merciful to me the sinner” (Luke 18:13). If you’re humble, Satan will resist you. If you’re proud God will resist you! (I Peter 5:5-9). Is desperately hungry for God: If you are daily watching and waiting at God’s gates for wisdom, you will receive life and favor from the Lord (Proverbs 8:34-35). Only seeks God’s favor: Never seek the favor of men because the heart of Man is deceptively wicked (John 2:24; Jeremiah 17:9). The prayer of Jesus (Matthew 26:39) is greater than the prayer of Jabez (I Chronicles 4:9-10). Value God’s favor more than His blessing. Is rich toward God and His kingdom: It was because he laid up treasure only for Himself and was not rich toward God, that the rich man was a fool (Luke 12:16-21). A fundamental principle of the New Covenant is, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). If you are calculating in how you bless others, then God will be calculating in how He blesses you (Luke 6:38). Has the heart of the Good Shepherd: When Jesus builds His Church, He gathers people from different backgrounds, and gives them shepherds who have the same heart that He has (Jeremiah 3:12-15). Jesus is looking for those who will stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30) for others by interceding on their behalf. This is what Jesus is doing constantly, seated at the Father’s right hand (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).