Wisdom of the Whole

"Sir Solomon" from Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer
Illustrations by my friend and talented artist, Dawn Copeland

"Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction...then you will have success wherever you go." (Joshua 1:7)


We've heard wisdom described as "wise as an owl." While reading the Bible this morning, I discovered a new definition of wisdom: wisdom is carefully observing God's whole instruction, because obeying part and neglecting the whole can cause calamity.

For instance, in Matthew 17:20, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." 

However, God also said in 1 John 5:14-15, "This is the confidence which we have before [God], that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him."

Therefore, if our request is counter to God's will, we may have faith as large as a peach pit, but in His infinite wisdom, God must answer, "No."

Want wisdom, beloved? Obey the counsel of the whole word of God.

(Coming soon: Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer)

(A fun storybook and valuable discipleship resource 

for all ages)