“Do you have a devotional that you would recommend?”

I get asked this question in various forms from time to time, and I think my answer sometimes surprises or disappoints people, because I don’t recommend what they might expect.

I don’t really find most devotionals fruitful. But in my mid 20s I came across the Steven K. Scott’s book The Richest Man Who Ever Lived, a book which lays out “King Solomon’s secrets to success, wealth, and happiness.” The author describes how he went through nine jobs in five years, constantly failing at everything he tried, and convinced he would never succeed. Then he was challenged by a friend to read one chapter of Proverbs, write down his insights, and find ways to apply those insights to his day-to-day activities. And do that every day again for two years. The author went on to find success in his financial and business ventures and credits it to the wisdom of Solomon.

I don’t remember much else of the book, but I did take up the same challenge, though not quite as long.

How

I read the book of Proverbs every day for eight months, reading Proverbs 1 on the first day of the month, Proverbs 2 on the second, and so on, 31 chapters for a month with 31 days (yes, sometimes you’ll have to read a few more chapters per day for the shorter months).

Each day I would read a chapter and write down my own takeaways in a notebook, leaving enough room between the notes on each chapter so I had space for the following months’ notes. I would write down verses that really stood out to me, some months word-for-word, and other months challenging myself to write it in my own words.

Some months I would listen to the audio version, and some months I would read it in a different translation, to break up the monotony of reading the same words over and over, and to see if there were verses that would stand out to me more than in other translations.

Why

Did I become wise overnight? No, but I can attribute much of my own personal growth to studying the book of Proverbs consistently. I still refer back to my notes from years ago, and I still read through the entire book of Proverbs once or twice a year. Proverbs is chock full of wisdom on relationships, avoiding temptation, being a good steward of God’s resources, surrounding yourself with godly people, and bridling your tongue (an area where I need constant encouragement).

Proverbs can be challenging to read at times. Some proverbs seem to conflict with one another, which can be confusing: how do we know when it’s the right time to “answer a fool” (Prov. 26:4-5)? Some proverbs can be very convicting and make us uncomfortable. But these proverbs are given by God not just for wisdom information (good for our head only); these proverbs are meant for the transformation of our hearts and lives.

I’m grateful for Solomon’s wisdom, gifted to him by God. And I’m grateful for the one who was greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42). It can be difficult at times to see Jesus Christ in Proverbs, and that’s going to be my next focus as I read through the book again.

So when people ask which devotional I recommend, I encourage them to read Proverbs. Read one chapter every day and record your own insights. It’s been very fruitful for me and for those that I’ve recommended it to.

Andrew Lootens is a disciple of Jesus Christ, a husband and father, a resident of Chilliwack, BC, and a voracious reader who is kindling the flame to write a little bit more and read a little bit less.