2020 Daily Devotion - Day 179

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Yesterday, we talked about wisdom. We focused on the fact that many people strive after education but fail to seek after wisdom. Wisdom is essential for living for many reasons. With wisdom, we learn to take the long view in certain situations. Instead of having a “knee jerk” reaction to something and becoming angry or walking away, wisdom says let’s wait and see what will happen if we offer compassion and understanding. Instead of giving up too soon, wisdom knows success comes to those who wait on the Lord. Wisdom recognizes the brokenness of the world, and also the redemption we have in Christ Jesus, and is willing to examine life through both lenses. On and on it goes; the benefits wisdom brings into our lives. It is greatly needed and probably why the book of Proverbs constantly speaks of the benefits of wisdom. 

Another way to receive wisdom is simply to ask God for it. This is what the Apostle James recommends to us:

James 1:5 NIV
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.

So, ask God to give you wisdom. And then start to be on the lookout for the moments God will use the challenges of life to teach and train you in wisdom. When life becomes difficult, stop and realize that while God did not bring about things like the Coronavirus, He can certainly use these situations to teach you and me wisdom. When you begin to respond to life in this way, God can answer the prayer of granting you wisdom and you will be stronger and more effective for the training.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for being the author of all wisdom. You want us to enter into the school of wisdom and learn from You. Give us the will and desire to learn wisdom from You, so we can be the people You are calling us to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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