STXWM Blog

Matthew 2:7,9-12 (NLT) “7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. … 9 After this interview, the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.”

We’ve been focusing on the men of advent this month and for our final week of 2023, we’re going to learn from the journey of the wise men. After reading the above five verses, a few things are evident.

The wise have already made the choice to follow God’s lead. This story starts, and ends, with wise followers listening to, and obeying the leading of the Lord throughout the entire process. Start and end your day in communion with Him. Start and end each project, task or job by consulting His wisdom. Start everything you do with God, consult Him throughout the entire process, and end each endeavor by His side. In other words, live and abide in His presence.

James 1:5a (NLT) “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you…”

The wise realize that man’s wisdom is always limited in some way. A wise woman knows that God’s ways are always perfect, while man’s wisdom is inherently flawed. And once she grasps God’s wisdom, she proclaims it wherever she goes; she can’t help herself. The wise men were so consumed with their God-given purpose that they excitedly shared it with King Herod.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) “8 ‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’”

The wise are filled with joy, and they live every day, full of joy. A wise woman knows that happiness is circumstantial and hence, fleeting; it literally comes and goes. Joy, however, is something that is internal, rather than being dictated by external stimuli. She does not live downcast. She chooses to live in the strength that comes only from the joy of the Lord.

Nehemiah 8:10b (NLT) “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

The wise humble themself before God. A wise woman realizes that she can do nothing to control events, or produce desired outcomes; only God is sovereign. So, the next logical mindset for a wise woman is one of complete gratitude and humbleness in every moment. Just like Isaiah, the wise see God’s hand in every situation, even in the very idea of creation.

Isaiah 40:12 (NLT) “Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?’”

The wise are worshippers. Worship involves adoration and praise. It is a lifestyle that is both internal and can be seen externally as well. Worshippers are followers. They are compelled to draw near. A wise woman worships her God in spirit and in truth.

John 4:23-24 (NLT) “23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

The wise feel compelled to give back. A wise woman realizes that everything she has (whether concrete or abstract), has been given to her by God. She is grateful for every gift that she has been given, even her very breath. The wise men were grateful; they refused to enter God’s presence empty-handed.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (NLT) “7 ‘You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’ 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

The wise are led by the Holy Spirit. A wise woman doesn’t make a move without His leading. She is confident that her Heavenly Father sees and knows everything and He has already been working things out for her good from the beginning of time. She trusts His plan implicitly. The wise men weren’t afraid to change their plans, even if it meant letting King Herod down.

Psalm 31:14-15a (NLT) “14 But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” 15 My future is in your hands…”

And finally, the wise are in the business of saving. Because the wise men heeded the Holy Spirit, Joseph, Mary and Jesus the Messiah were saved from King Herod’s evil plan.

Proverbs 11:30b (AMP) “… he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity].”

The wise follow God’s leading.

They realize that although man’s ways are flawed, God’s ways are perfect.

They are full of joy.

The wise humble themselves before God.

They give back to God generously, and give to others.

They are consistently led by the Holy Spirit.

The wise are soul-winners.

Heavenly Father, teach me to be wise. Thank you for filling me with your Holy Spirit. Your comfort, wisdom, discipline, love, correction, teaching and discernment are invaluable and are indescribable gifts. May I continue to trust You and follow You today, and every day, wholeheartedly.