Who Gave You the Wisdom to Do That?

Maybe it was a problem you had been trying to solve for days, something you were learning for the first time, or a responsibility you weren't sure you were ready for. You tried different approaches, made a few mistakes, and perhaps even felt like giving up. But then, somehow, things started making sense. You began to see what needed to be done, and what once seemed complicated became clearer.

Sometimes, we look at these moments and simply tell ourselves that we figured it out. We credit our experience, intelligence, or ability to learn. And while there's certainly nothing wrong with developing our skills and gaining knowledge, I think we sometimes forget something important. Even the wisdom and understanding we use to accomplish things ultimately come from God.

Proverbs 2:6 reminds us that the Lord is the One who gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I love how this verse doesn't limit God's wisdom to spiritual matters alone. We often ask God for wisdom when making major decisions, understanding Scripture, or navigating difficult situations. But have you ever thought about asking Him for wisdom in the ordinary things you do every day? The work you do, the projects you handle, the problems you solve, the things you create, and even the responsibilities that sometimes seem too overwhelming?

There's a beautiful example of this in Exodus 31 that I find fascinating. When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle, He gave very specific instructions concerning its construction, materials, and design. But here's what caught my attention. God didn't just give Moses the instructions and leave everyone to figure out how to accomplish them. He also appointed people and equipped them with the wisdom and skills necessary to carry out the work.

In Exodus 31:2–5, God specifically called a man named Bezalel and filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill in all kinds of craftsmanship. He was equipped to design artistic works, work with gold, silver, and bronze, cut precious stones, and carve wood. And in verse 6, God also appointed Aholiab and placed wisdom in the hearts of the gifted artisans so they could accomplish what He had commanded.

Now, isn't that amazing? God didn't just anoint someone to preach, prophesy, or lead. He also equipped people to design, create, build, and work with their hands!

Sometimes, we have this idea that God's involvement in our lives is mostly about what happens inside the church. We recognize His wisdom when someone shares a powerful revelation, teaches the Word, or ministers to others. But we may overlook the fact that the same God who gives spiritual understanding is also able to give practical wisdom.

Think about it. Whether you're managing a business, working on a project, organizing an event, learning a new skill, raising a family, or simply trying to find a solution to something that isn't working, we can invite God into those moments too.

Perhaps you've been staring at a problem for hours, trying everything you know, and nothing seems to work. Then you decide to step away, pray, or approach it from a different perspective. Suddenly, an idea comes to mind, or you realize there's a simpler way to do it. Now, I'm not saying that every good idea is necessarily a direct revelation from God. But I do believe that we sometimes underestimate how much we can depend on Him for wisdom in our everyday lives.

And here's another thing I noticed about Bezalel. God gave him wisdom, but Bezalel still had work to do. The Lord equipped him with understanding and ability, but he still had to use his hands, apply what he knew, and carry out the instructions God had given.

I think that's an important reminder for us because sometimes we pray for wisdom while expecting God to do everything for us. We want the answer, but we don't always want the process. We ask for understanding, but we're not always willing to learn. We want God to bless the work of our hands, but we sometimes forget that we have to put our hands to work.

God's wisdom doesn't eliminate the need for effort, learning, or preparation. Rather, it helps us use what we have wisely. Sometimes, wisdom comes through an idea. Other times, it comes through correction, experience, learning from someone else, or realizing that there's a better way to approach something.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 gives us an interesting illustration. It speaks about how a dull axe requires more strength to use, while wisdom brings success. In other words, sometimes the solution isn't to work harder but to work wiser. You can spend hours struggling with something simply because you haven't taken the time to sharpen the tool you're using.

And isn't that true in life? Sometimes we're so focused on getting things done that we forget to stop and ask whether we're doing them the right way. We keep pushing, forcing, and exhausting ourselves when perhaps what we need is a little wisdom to approach things differently.

Wisdom doesn't always make the work easier, but it can help us stop making the work unnecessarily harder.

James 1:5 tells us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously. I find that so encouraging because it means we don't have to pretend that we know everything. We don't have to be ashamed of what we haven't learned yet. And we certainly don't have to depend entirely on our own understanding.

It's okay to say, "Lord, I don't know how to do this. Please teach me." It's okay to ask Him for direction before starting something unfamiliar. It's okay to admit that we need help.

In fact, I think there's something beautiful about having a teachable heart. The moment we assume we already know everything is often the moment we stop learning. But when we recognize that God is the source of wisdom, we remain open to His guidance, correction, and instruction.

And there's one more thing I want us to remember. When God gives us wisdom and ability, it's not simply so we can become successful or receive recognition. Our gifts and skills are also opportunities to serve others and glorify Him. Colossians 3:23 reminds us to do whatever we do wholeheartedly, as unto the Lord.

The work may look ordinary to us, but when we approach it with the right heart, it can become an expression of our worship to God. Whether we're serving someone, creating something beautiful, solving a problem, or fulfilling a responsibility, we can honour Him through the excellence, integrity, and care we bring to what we do.

So perhaps the next time you're faced with something you don't know how to accomplish, instead of immediately saying, "I can't do this," try asking, "Lord, can You teach me how?"

And when you finally accomplish something you once thought was beyond your ability, don't forget to acknowledge the One who gave you the capacity to learn, the opportunity to grow, and the wisdom to move forward.

Because sometimes, the greatest evidence of God's wisdom in our lives isn't just found in what we know, but in what He enables us to do.

A Thought to Carry Today

“God doesn't just give us wisdom to know what needs to be done. He also gives us wisdom to understand how to do it. But wisdom becomes fruitful when we put it into action.”

Personal Reflection

Is there something you've been trying to accomplish that feels beyond your knowledge or ability? Perhaps you've been relying entirely on your own understanding, or maybe you've been avoiding something because you don't know where to begin. Instead of allowing uncertainty to discourage you, take a moment to ask God for wisdom. Be willing to learn, seek guidance, and take the necessary steps. Remember, you don't have to know everything before you begin, but you can trust God to guide you as you continue to grow.