We all want a successful year – even more, a successful life. There really is a secret. God’s word tells us what it is. We get to see it lived out in the wonderful example through David.
When David killed Goliath, he was a mere boy, a young man. Today he would be just out of high school and beginning college. He had just experienced an incredible victory beyond scoring the winning basket in the state championship, kicking a last second field goal that sent the team to the Super Bowl or winning an Olympic gold. He had accomplished something unprecedented. His life was going in an unimaginable direction that God alone knew.
David knew three things:
1. He knew how to be a shepherd, which required extensive (and impressive) list of skills.
2. He knew the Lord was his Shepherd. His knew his God went before him and prepared for all this and was with him there and now providing and enabling.
3. He knew how to learn.
So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. 1 Samuel 18:5
This verse represents a period of time, but it also describes a sharp learning curve. It didn’t take long for David to go from a shepherd boy to a commander, from a new recruit to a sergeant and higher. According to verse 5, David “prospered.” This word also occurs in verses 14 and 15: David was prospering in all his ways for the Lord was with him. When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him. (1 Samuel 18:14,15)
Our English translations basically state that David “prospered”NAS or “succeeded.”NIV However, instead of informing us about David’s success, the Hebrew word actually tells us why and how. The word is sakal. In its most simplistic definition it is a verb that means “actively gaining wisdom.” This is the thinking wisdom that connects a to b. It takes what is heard, seen and experienced, and then applies it to life and choices. It evaluates what is or has happened, positive and negative, and derives a life application from it. When mistakes are made, they are thought through and learned from, so that same mistake is not made again. Sakal observes other’s lives as well and learns from them.
Go back and reread 1 Samuel 18:5, 14 and 15, replacing the word “prosper” or “success” with “gain wisdom.”
So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and [gained wisdom]; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. 1 Samuel 18:5
David was [gaining wisdom] in all his ways for the Lord was with him. When Saul saw that he was [gaining wisdom] greatly, he dreaded him. 1 Samuel 18:14,15
What does this tell you about David? He was constantly thinking, listening, observing, being teachable and learning from everything that happened in his life and around him. He knew there was always something to learn, changes to be made in his life and saw everything as an opportunity to grow in grace and knowledge. This is an admirable characteristic in a young man. He valued it throughout his life. Fast forward to the end …
As David’s time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying, “I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed (gain wisdom) in all that you do and wherever you turn, so that the LORD may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ 1Kings 2:1-4
These are David’s final words to his son and heir, Solomon. When the Lord invited Solomon to ask for anything, no wonder he asked for wisdom. (1 Kings 3:9) The secret to gaining wisdom “in all that you do and wherever you turn” is directly linked to knowing God and His word.
Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success (gain wisdom) wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success (gain wisdom). Joshua 1:7,8
Sakal requires a few things:
1. Experiences: positive and negative, successes and failures. We don’t have to worry too much about this aspect, as each and every day is full of experiences. However, there is also an element of risk involved – stepping out of our comfort zone. There needs to be an openness and willingness to go through those experiences that are hard, but afford the greatest lessons. Sakal is often thwarted by avoidance.
2. Being reflective and teachable: there has to be a desire to grow and learn from each and every situation. That is not going to happen without taking the time to think each one through. If you know how to worry or stew about something that has happened, you know how to reflect. The question is: What direction do you go with it?
3. Choosing change and growth regardless the cost. Applying what is learned more often then not requires changing the way we think, which in turn changes how we do things next time.
4. Dependence on the Holy Spirit- “You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them (to sakal them/enable them to gain wisdom)” (Nehemiah 9:20). Not all sakal–ing has godly intent. There are many who strive to gain “wisdom” for self-serving reason. They figure out from successes and failures, from obtaining information, by observation, etc., just how to make people and/or the situation work to his/her advantage and to get what he/she wants out of it. James 3:14,15 tells us that where the pursuit for wisdom is based on “selfish ambition … this wisdom is not the wisdom from comes above.” However, for it to glorify God and graciously serve others, the Holy Spirit’s enabling is required. It is also the Holy Spirit that doesn’t just provided what is needed for that situation, but makes it a life-changing lesson.
God created us with a desire to learn and grow in wisdom. Desire for this kind of wisdom isn’t enough. Eve wanted to sakal.
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise (gain wisdom), she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6
Gaining wisdom takes time, experience, asking questions and seeking answers. Satan exploited that desire by offering a shortcut. For Eve, it was eating of the Tree of Knowledge. What are some shortcuts we are tempted to take? Here are a few:
1. Just ask– someone will tell you what you should do, and then you don’t have to go to the effort, sacrifice or risk. If it was wrong, you are not responsible.
2. Substituting someone/something else’s expertise – This may be what got Eve into trouble. In Genesis 3:1, it says, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field.” The word “crafty” is arum, it is the same word used throughout Proverbs for sensible, prudent, logical and shrewd. Admirable attributes. Adam and Eve may have noticed that this creature had an uncanny ability to discern the best fruit at its perfect ripeness. It would not be a bit surprising that she would follow or be drawn to where it was. The problem is substituting another’s discernment or behavior for our own knowledge and understanding of God’s will and wisdom. Though Satan may have exploited the serpent’s God-given ability, it was Eve’s ultimate responsibility for her choices and actions.
3. Rules, laws, a bunch of how to’s. This really is one of the fallen one’s favorite ploys. You don’t have to think if everything is spelled out for you. Without thinking, reflecting and evaluating there is no sakal wisdom.
God makes a wonderful promise in Psalms 32:8. I will instruct you (sakal – give you wisdom) and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. What a incredible offer: “I will sakal you!” He is personally and actively involved in the process of making wisdom possible in our lives. When we are willing, everything in His School of Transformation is a teaching tool.
David was young and inexperienced, he made mistakes, but he was also teachable and learned from every opportunity and experience. If he was successful, he learned from it. If those around him with more experience gave him advice, he learned from it. He watched, he listened, he asked questions, he tried, he took risks and he grew wiser and wiser.
Sakal – gaining wisdom is a choice. If you choose sakal, go in with your eyes wide open. You will be admired by some and a threat to others. The people and fellow soldier were pleased. Saul responded with dread. You can gain wisdom from both. Warning: The most defining lessons are usually the hardest.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5
When we ask for wisdom, we are not asking for hard times. We are asking for the insight and discernment that gains wisdom from what is or has happened. Rejoicing in difficult times is possible when we believe this is prime opportunity to gain godly wisdom - wisdom that makes a difference in both attitude and behavior.
Recap on how to sakal:
1. ASK Start the day asking: “Lord, sakal me today. Help me to gain wisdom from what I see, hear and do.” Ask throughout the day. Ask going in, if you know you’re going in. Ask coming out, especially if the situation was unexpected.
2. OBSERVE Approach situations as an opportunity to gain wisdom. Watch and listen with the intent of growing in grace and knowledge.
3. EVALUATE Partnering with the Holy Spirit is needed to gain the wisdom God has for you. Ask prayerfully, “What did I learn? What wisdom can I gain?”
4. APPLY it intentionally, consistently and frequently.
Gaining wisdom every day will definitely make this year a wonderful success.
