Are you a prudent thinker?

The latter side of the book of Jeremiah is beating me to a pulp. It’s true. It’s hard to find an encouraging word to sketch and color images from a weeping prophet. There were several images from the earlier chapters, but this morning I was about to give up the notion that I could be inspired to draw when a word from Jeremiah 49:7 dung my bell.

Jeremiah 49:7 KJV
Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?

This word from Lord, given to Jeremiah to warn Edom points at the destruction of Rome, and the Romans, who with the Jews frequently go by the name of Edom. (That, according to commentary) But for me, the latter part of that pointed me toward the United States of America!

Jeremiah asks Edom, but I asked America, “is counsel perished from the prudent, is their wisdom vanished?” I don’t care what political party you look at, there is none that is following biblical principals. Yes, I am a Republican. For me it’s the closest I can get to the direction God wants us to go, at least locally. Meaning Calhoun County, West Virginia. Nationally… not so much. But let’s take politics out of it, and just talk about the average American community.

I’ll use my own church as an example. First Baptist Church of Grantsville, WV. An online search netted the following information about the history of my home church.

First Baptist Church of Grantsville maintained an active congregation, with recorded attendance at special events reaching approximately 350 people. While precise weekly attendance figures for the early 1900s are not detailed in historical summaries, institutional records provide several indicators of the church’s size and reach during this period: 

• Congregation Size: By the late 19th century, just before the turn of the century, the church had a recorded membership of 126 people.
• Building Capacity: The church building dedicated in 1894 in Grantsville was described as “new and commodious,” built to accommodate the “prosperous and broadening labors” of the organization. An earlier frame building (built in 1860) had a seating capacity of about 100.
• Sunday School Attendance: Sunday School was highly active, with historical photos from circa 1920 showing large separate classes for men and women, including at least 35 men and 12 women pictured in specific groups. The first Sabbath School, organized decades earlier in 1849, began with 30 pupils.
• Special Event Attendance: On the church’s 100th Anniversary in 1933, approximately 350 people attended a basket dinner and celebration, reflecting the broader community connected to the church in the early 20th century.

Scroll forward to 2026. Following the Covid era, (Which I did not attend FBC at that time) the congregation dropped drastically, as it did in likely every church in America. I personally believe that the Covid Era allowed Satan and the Government of the United States to almost destroy the American desire for church attendance. People stayed at home for “safety’s sake,” and put their family at the greatest risk of busting the gates of Hell wide open. Wow… that sounded a little like Jeremiah. Perhaps I’m channeling him today as I read his word from God.

The average attendance on any given Sunday in the Worship Service at First Baptist Church is 50-60 people. Of those 50-60 people there is a hand full or two active in the ministries of FBC. By that I refer to Sunday School, Bible Study and special events. And that’s if we’re blessed. We have an amazing preacher. He loves the word of God and can teach it in a manner that makes it easily understood and proves his 2 Timothy 2:15 leadership: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

That’s not to be taken for granted in this day and age. Not every church stands on right division. If you have a pastor who does, you should be there in the morning and thank him.

But back to Jeremiah…

Has the counsel of the prudent perished?

Where do prudent people seek counsel. The word prudent means to actively seek thought for the future. How far in the future? Well, how about a life time. As I care for Mother, (suffering from dementia) who will turn 90 in 30 days, I realize that the age of 90 is not the norm. Having already had 3 heart attacks myself, I’m not sure if I will make it that far, and with the state of the world, I’d rather believe that Jesus will return and take us out of here before then. But that leaves me to wonder if all my people will be there with me? At this point… maybe not. It is with that “prudent thought” of the future that I approach life and my frustration with America.

Every day, unless I allow the world to interrupt my thought process, I am seeking God’s wisdom. It’s the only wisdom worthy of trust. Even the best of counsel can lead you astray. But the scripture says in James 1:5 – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

That’s a pretty good word for us all. You find that wisdom by reading His word, by speaking to Him in prayer, and by attending a church where a Spirit lead Pastor preaches the word of God. So where is a non reading, praying, church attending Christian, getting their wisdom?

I’m pretty sure it’s vanished.

If you say you’re a Christian. I can believe that. Because it’s not up to me to determine whether or not that’s the truth. That is a conversation between you and God. But I know personally, the most trying, and dark times of my life have been when I was not in church, when I did not read the word of God, and didn’t know how to have a conversation with God because I was not saved. Even though the “church” told me I was. It’s hard to speak with someone you’ve never had a relationship with. And until 1996, I had never had a relationship with God, even though I was raised in church. Because, (I believe) by the time I became old enough to understand God, the world had my attention and I had shut Him down.

What about your life, right now? Is it going swimmingly? Is your kids walking in the utmost of morality and good judgement? Is your marriage wedded bliss? When you lay your head down at night, if you’d happen to wake up in eternity… are you positive that you would be living with Jesus?

Those are the first prudent questions that any human should ask. Regardless of where they reside, what nationality they are, or who is in the White House. Because in eternity we will be One Nation with God. Those who came to Him by the blood of His Son on the cross of Calvary.

That is prudent thinking.