Seeking GODLY WISDOM DAILY in our LIVES
July 1
Bible Reading: Proverbs Chapters 7-9
Seeking GODLY WISDOM DAILY in our LIVES
"For wisdom is better than rubies and all the things one may desire cannot be
compared with her. I (wisdom) love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.
Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and
obtains favor from the Lord. But he who sins against me wrongs his own
soul; all those who hate me love death"
(Prov 8:11, 17, 34-36)
Proverbs 8 introduces
wisdom as a lady who takes her stand at the top of a high hill and cries out to
all the people passing by the entrance of the city gates (v. 1-3). In fact,
eminent scholars have categorized Proverbs 8 as containing the longest sustained personification in the
Bible, introducing ‘lady wisdom’ who does
most of the speaking in this chapter. She takes a highly visible position in
order to attract the attention of as many people as possible (v. 1–3; see
1:20–21). She describes her audience as fools who need hearts to understand
prudence and wisdom (v. 5). She speaks nothing but truth and righteousness (vv.
7–8), virtues that are more rare and valuable than gold and rubies (vv. 10–11).
This is a
poetic way of teaching us that God Himself is the very essence of wisdom. The
very foundation of wisdom is the holy reverence (fear) and knowledge of God. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Prov
9:10) What is meant by the fear of the Lord? Prov. 8:13 answers it this way: "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate."
The key
passage chosen for today’s devotion speaks to us that nothing can be compared
in this world to finding godly wisdom. We need to earnestly search for godly
wisdom in our daily activities. When we find godly wisdom, we will find both
life and obtain godly favor in our lives. When we understand godly wisdom, then
we will know God more clearly (v. 35; see John 14:6), but if we despise godly wisdom,
we will surely die (v. 36; see John 3:36). Let
us seek after godly wisdom today and every day for the rest of our lives!
"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." (1 Cor 2:6-10)
