Alistair Begg - Truth For Life - Wisdom From Heaven

"To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. But on the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depth of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Taken from Wikipedia:

"Dietrich Bonhoeffer (February 4, 1906 – April 9, 1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, participant in the German Resistance movement against Nazism, and a founding member of the Confessing Church. He was involved in plots planned by members of the Abwehr (the German Military Intelligence Office) to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Bonhoeffer was arrested in March 1943, imprisoned, and eventually executed by hanging shortly before the war's end."

I first heard about Pastor Bonhoeffer in a men's Bible study I was part of a few years back where we read Dietrich's book "The Cost of Discipleship" (if you haven't read it...please do! Let me know, and I'll get a copy to you). I also then went on to read Pastor Bonhoeffer's "Letters and Papers From Prison". Again - another amazing experience. Through reading these I was taken back to the apostle Paul, and all the trials and hardship he endured during his life for the sake of proclaiming the gospel and furthering it to all people. His life also reminds me of how in the midst of the most cacophonous of trials in our life, God's promise to grant true wisdom to ALL who truly seek it:

James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

...and in Jesus own words:

Matthew 21:22 - "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

Hmm - that makes me think maybe we could focus on true faith for a bit once this series on wisdom wraps. Thoughts?

Alistair Begg - Truth For Life - Wisdom From Heaven