Day 9: Get Wisdom

Opening Scripture

Proverbs 4:7 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (NIV)

Devotional Reflection

Wisdom is the ability to judge well—knowing good and evil, benefit and loss. Scripture teaches that, as believers, we are able to judge all things rightly. Good decisions lead to a better life, and God has called us to live a life that continually increases in the things of God and bears greater fruit in accomplishing His will. Wisdom comes from God, and He uses it to elevate our lives within this world. For this reason, Scripture teaches us to do whatever is necessary to gain the wisdom of God, for there is no other wisdom that compares.

Wisdom grows out of the experience we gain when we obey what we have learned through the teaching of Scripture. When we do things God’s way, we begin to see the greater potential found in following His ways. The Bible says that the fear of the Lord—the obedience that seeks to avoid consequences—is the beginning of wisdom. Obedience motivated by fear is not the same as obedience rooted in gratitude toward a God who has given us so much. This is why fear is only the beginning of wisdom. As we obey, we begin to see the fruit of obedience. Soon, obedience becomes a desire, and that desire matures into obedience that honors the God of wisdom.

However, without knowing the teachings of Christ—without learning from Him as we are taught by others—we do not know what to obey, and we miss out on the wisdom that elevates our lives. When we learn and obey, our lives are lifted, and we exalt the Lord, the author and giver of perfect wisdom.

Our passage today teaches us to sacrifice all else to gain the wisdom of God. In this, we see the importance God places on learning His ways. He desires for us to live an elevated life, but to do so we must be devoted to the teachings of Scripture and remain faithful. It really is that simple. If we desire a life shaped by wisdom, we must devote ourselves to the teaching of Scripture.

There may be pursuits in our lives that keep us from studying and learning from our teachers. We may need to reorder our time to make space for deeper study. We might need to spend more time in church, in Bible studies, and in actively doing what we have been taught. Everyone has the same number of hours each day. Some have learned the depths of wisdom found in Scripture, while others allow that same wisdom to collect dust on a coffee table. We must evaluate how we spend our time so that we have space to sit under good teaching—and then time to go and do what we have learned.

The Examen

What competes most for my time and attention that may be keeping me from learning God’s Word?

Where is God inviting me to reorder my priorities so I can grow in wisdom?

Lectio Divina Scripture

Proverbs 1:7 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Note: Read the passage slowly, out loud, several times. With each reading, emphasize a different word or phrase. Notice what stands out and why.

Prayer Prompt

Lord, reveal to me what needs to be set aside so that I can devote myself fully to learning Your Word. Give me the wisdom that elevates my life as I seek to exalt Your name. Amen.