“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” – James 3:17
Scripture reading: Proverbs 4:1-13
God has attributes that only He has and others that humans can mimic. None of us existed before time or are present everywhere, but we can choose to do good or tell the truth. Wisdom falls into this second set of characteristics. We get wisdom from God when we first become teachable. We humble ourselves before Him, realizing He is more than us, and stand in awe of Him. Then, we soak ourselves in Scripture and receive it as His word. The Holy Spirit helps us live out God’s word.
It is helpful to know what God-given wisdom is not. Wisdom is not seeing the big picture; it is not knowing how each small event has deep meaning and why God allows each situation to happen to us. Yes, God does guide us by occasionally applying principles through events that seem unlikely. But this is different than trying to read a message into everything unusual that happens to us. Message-reading is not wisdom. Most things that happen to us are inexplicable.
Rather, wisdom is like learning how to drive. Drivers focus on their speed and position and have a keen awareness of things around them. They don’t usually question why the road bends here or why a car is parked there or why it is raining. Drivers see their situation and try to do the right thing. In our everyday life, wisdom is being clear-sighted, clinging to God, and doing what is right according to God’s word.
Suggestions for prayer
Ask for the humility to acknowledge there are things God has not given us to know or understand. Ask for wisdom that deepens your relationship with God and expresses itself as Christlike actions in your situation right now.
Katelyn Van Haren is a member of Redeemer United Reformed Church in Lacombe, Alberta. She received a liberal arts degree from Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario in honours accounting and is a CPA. Katelyn and her husband have five children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com