Daily Devotion, March 30, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Kings 3:5-12.

Wisdom. Before you head out the door quickly with many things on your mind or before you go to sleep reflecting over all you experienced in your day, thoughts of “the gift of wisdom” are probably not on your mind.

As you make your list of things to do for today or for tomorrow, acquiring wisdom is probably not at the top of your list. You can breathe now, because wisdom is not something we can achieve or acquire. Wisdom is a gift from God. Solomon knew this. Solomon showed wisdom when he asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people.

Having true wisdom has nothing to do with one’s level of education nor does it have much to do with how comfortably we live. True wisdom beckons us to be tuned to God’s heart; to truly listen to God’s heart and to be willing to follow in the ways in which God is leading.

I love the way The Message has translated I Kings 3:9, “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?”

In my family, this scripture was always paired with two other scriptures: Psalms 111:10a, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;” and James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

In the scriptures for the church’s calendar year, I Kings 3:9 is paired with Romans 8:26,“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.”

Yes, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf as we are praying for God’s gift of wisdom in so many of life’s situations.

Personal Worship Option:

Wisdom. Wait, pause, ask and allow God to give you this gift. What a great difference this gift from God can make in your day today or tomorrow. God’s gift of wisdom as you listen to the needs of others, make decisions that affect others, lead others, or make choices for yourself can truly make all the difference. Give God thanks for this gift in others, too.