To receive anything from the Lord, we need to know how to inquire of Him for wisdom. We need wisdom to know what He wants us to do in any given situation. Josiah was one of the good kings. He began to reign when he was only eight years old. After he had been reigning several years, he sent word to the high priest to restore the house of the Lord: the Temple. The high priest found the book of the law and took it to Josiah. After Josiah read the book, he rent his clothes, an act of deep sorrow and regret. Though he had done good things during his reign, Josiah found things in the book of the law that made him know that God was displeased with some of the things the people were doing. It was then that he sent the priests to inquire of the Lord, so they could make changes in their lives.
Josiah had the book of the law read to the people, and then they renewed their part of the covenant with God. (God always keeps His part.) The king and the people would now keep God's commandments and do what the words of the covenant required of them. This promise was kept for a while, but soon the people, and the king, forgot some of the commandments.
The book of the law that Josiah read is part of the Old Testament. Since Jesus came to earth and returned to His Father, we also have the words of the New Testament. We need to read God's Word daily to inquire of Him how we should conduct our daily lives. Throughout both Testaments there are words of wisdom and words to guide us into living in ways that are pleasing to the Lord.
Go to the Lord
There is no other source of wisdom or guidance better than going directly to the Lord who created us. God is not only the source of our very breath and life; He is the source of all we need to sustain life, and of all the knowledge and wisdom we need to live a good life.
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:5, 6)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
When you understand the awesomeness of the Lord, you will have the reverential fear of Him that the Proverbs describe. When you fear the Lord you are able to find knowledge, wisdom and understanding, because you seek Him. The knowledge of God is much more valuable than any other knowledge. Knowledge can be nothing more than a group of facts. Wisdom is knowing how to best use the knowledge of God, and understanding leads you to greater comprehension of God's will and God's ways.
David's son Solomon was anointed to follow his father as king of Israel. Solomon knew how God had blessed his father. As Solomon sought the Lord, God came and asked what he wanted God to do for him. Solomon did not ask for fame or fortune. He asked for wisdom to lead the people.
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. (2 Chronicles 1:10-12)
Lest you think wisdom is only found in the Old Testament, or that Solomon was the only wise man, look at what Paul had to say. Paul was a well-educated man before he met the Lord. After his encounter with Jesus, he spent time in the desert learning from the master teacher, the Holy Spirit. Paul said the wisdom and knowledge of God was beyond what the natural mind can comprehend.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)
Paul knew that knowledge of other things would one day vanish, and that such knowledge could fill a man with pride and lead to all manner of evil intent. But the knowledge of God will cause you to be successful in God's eyes.
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
Knowledge of God will lead you into maturity and a godly lifestyle. You will triumph over the devil and worldly knowledge. God's knowledge will never change or vanish. It is eternal.
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)
Go to the Lord, seek Him, and you will find salvation and wisdom to become all that God intends for you to be. You will grow to be like Jesus.
Learn His will
When you come to God and become His child, you begin to learn about Him. His Spirit will lead you into truth and show you the path to right living in God's sight. The will of God is revealed throughout His Word, the Bible.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9, 10)
David prayed for the Lord to teach him His will through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the same thing Paul spoke of to the Colossian church, and the same prayer we need to pray daily: to learn the will of the Lord and walk worthy of Him.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalm 143:10)
Jesus said the children of God would know His will, and that those who did the will of the Father would be His brothers and sisters. Knowing the will of the Lord keeps you on the right path. You will know when a doctrine or practice is in line with God's will and His Word.
If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17)
Jesus came to do the will of His Father, and that will was for Him to be a servant. Everything Jesus did on earth as an example for us was serving and meeting the needs of others. He came to do what His Father asked of Him: to bring lost sinners back into the family of God. He did it all out of love, the same love that caused the Father to send Him to live and die for mankind's salvation. We are to follow His example and serve others out of love for the Lord.
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. (Ephesians 6:6)
Many people serve others thinking they are doing what is good and pleasing to God and to men. Many serve to feel more important or more accepted. These people are trying to please men. When your heart is full of love for the Lord, you will want to serve others, because this is what pleases God.