“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one" (Luke 10:41).
Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Our Father and our God, You are the God who knows the secrets of the heart (Psalm 44:21). You know us even better than we know ourselves—All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord (Proverbs 16:2).
Lord, the Holy Spirit tells us through the words of the psalmist, that You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom (Psalm 51:6 – NJKV). And so often, You teach us wisdom in surprising and unexpected ways because You are God, and You know the hidden places that need instruction in the way we should go (Psalm 32:8).
Our Lord Jesus demonstrates this as He addresses the heart issues buried even in "legitimate" struggles and relationship difficulties. In masterful and unanticipated ways, He gives wise counsel and helps individuals confront the hard truths in their own lives even as they encounter challenges with others.
Jesus gives wise counsel to Martha when she complains, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40). Our great and only wise God used her complaint as an opportunity to instruct her in her own choices, her own priorities, and her own relationship with God.
He gives wise counsel to the one in the crowd who complains, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me” (Luke 12:13). This time, the targeted instruction was about greed, and possessions, and the underlying inclinations towards idolatry and covetousness.
O Lord, we too, need Your guiding truth and Your wise counsel. We reach out for Your promise that You will make us to know wisdom (Psalm 51:6 - NKVJ). We trust Your word that assures us, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you (Psalm 32:8).
Father, touch us and change us in our inward parts. Give us wisdom in all our relationships. You have called us to love one another (John 13:34). And You, more than anyone, understand the sacrificial nature of love.
So even as we pour out to You our challenges in living and interacting with others, show us the hidden places in our lives that You desire to change, and refine, and grow, and stretch. Show us the hard truths we need to confront in our own hearts as You instruct us in the way of wisdom and lead us along straight paths (Proverbs 4:11).
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