p. 101 | The Source of Wisdom by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 2, 1882

The Source of Wisdom.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” This promise surely applies to Sabbath-school teachers as much as to any body. And there is no distinction made as to the class who shall receive the wisdom. “If any of you lack wisdom.” No matter who it is. It does not specify how much wisdom we must lack before we can be supplied; the weakest and most ignorant may claim the promise. “Let him ask of God.” No one else is able to impart the wisdom that we need; he is the source of all wisdom. “And it shall be given him.” There is no doubt here; the promise is explicit. But two conditions are necessary: to lack wisdom, and be conscious of our need, and to ask. “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” God is pleased to have us trust his promises implicitly. It is a sin to doubt. It shows a wicked unbelief.

Teachers, one and all, do you feel unequal to the task before you? You who are almost alone, with few visible helps for teaching, do you feel discouraged? The promise is for you. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask . . . and it shall be given him.” The weaker you feel, the more incompetent you feel yourself to be, the more encouragement you may have, for the Lord says: “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Do you believe the word of God? Then follow its directions.

E. J. W.