Wisdom for Today (eBook)

JANUARY

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.

PROVERBS 1:7 CSB

JANUARY 1

SOLOMON THE WISE

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.

PROVERBS 1:1 NLT

As we begin our journey through Proverbs, let’s consider the position of Solomon, the author of most of the book. Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba and the third king of the united kingdoms of Israel and Judah after Saul and David. He ruled for forty years in the late 900s BC and was recognized for his wisdom which God gifted when Solomon prayed for guidance as a new and insecure ruler. Solomon’s wisdom was known throughout the world, and he was “richer and wiser than any other king on earth” (1 Kings 10:23).

Since God did not allow David to build the temple because he was a warrior (1 Chronicles 28:3), David prepared the workers and materials for his son to be the builder. Solomon built other projects as well, but the temple was the opus project of his life.

Lord, please focus my attention on Proverbs and your words through Solomon, so I may gain wisdom to live my best life.

JANUARY 2

WISE WORDS

They teach wisdom and self-control; they will help you understand wise words.

PROVERBS 1:2 NCV

There is little point in reading anything without understanding it. God’s Word is a seed that is planted in our hearts to nurture us into mature believers. This can’t happen without repentance and fertile ground in our hearts and minds. Solomon addresses the need for understanding right from the beginning of Proverbs so we can see the noteworthy characteristics of wisdom at once.

A heart open to the Word of God is teachable, and this will lead to wisdom and self-control. Comprehension comes from the Holy Spirit moving in us as we read and learn under the teaching of wise King Solomon.

Dear Father, give me a fertile heart and a teachable mind to learn from Proverbs. May I understand the difference between wisdom and folly.

JANUARY 3

PURPOSE OF PROVERBS

Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

PROVERBS 1:3 NLT

The world bombards us with subjective truth and redefined words. Today’s verse is clear that if you want insight and understanding, the Word of God is there for you. You will not be led astray if you stay close to God in prayer and attentively read your Bible. Proverbs in particular addresses what wisdom looks like in practical life.

We struggle with selfishness as humans. We want to indulge ourselves in comfort and excess. This sidetracks us from the life God intends for us. Learning to be wise will lead us to lives both disciplined and successful. If we lean into the discipline from God, we will learn to do what is right, fair, and just and reach true success.

Dear Lord, open my eyes to see the folly in my life so I can address it. Let me not just accept your discipline but appreciate it for the blessing it is.

JANUARY 4

IMPACT OF PROVERBS

To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion.

PROVERBS 1:4 NKJV

Prudence is when a person shows wisdom and shrewdness in managing their affairs. They have skill and good judgment when using personal resources. They show caution and circumspection in the face of danger or risk, and they can discipline themselves because they possess reasoning.

In our verse today, God says this heightened level of behavior is given even to the simplest and youngest of people. God does not make unreasonable demands on us, and he promises to gift us with behaviors and characteristics to carry us through life.

Father, give me a repentant heart and a contrite spirit to hear your voice. I want to follow your teaching even when others say I am wrong.

JANUARY 5

LIFELONG LEARNING

Wise people can also listen and learn; even they can find good advice in these words.

PROVERBS 1:5 NCV

We seek wisdom not for our glory but so we are better prepared to help others. The purpose of God’s wisdom is communal and not individual. The Bible is full of wisdom both accessible and understandable to everyone. If we think we are already wise, we can still glean more wisdom from the pages of Scripture.

Let’s strive to always grow in wisdom and understanding because we are never too wise to learn more about God and his majesty. In the Bible, how often do we see examples of God using seemingly simple people, like children or fishermen, to be recipients of his wisdom and change the world? Pride blocks the flow of wisdom, but a humble heart will receive it. Humility is required to grow in wisdom.

Dear God, please continue to grow me in wisdom and teach me from your Word. Open my ears to hear and my heart to understand.

JANUARY 6

WISE RIDDLES

Anyone can understand wise words and stories, the words of the wise and their riddles.

PROVERBS 1:6 NCV

Solomon wrote these words to his children to assure them that no kingship, scholarly education, a good upbringing is needed to understand the Word of the Lord. The Lord does not speak in riddles to confuse us but to separate those who desire to learn from those who aren’t willing to put in the effort to understand. No matter our situation, we have access to God’s wisdom and the ability to become wise.

Like Solomon, when we receive wisdom, we ought to pass it along. He wanted his children to grow in love and understanding of God, so he encouraged them to receive his wisdom and learn from his life. Let’s openly share ourselves the same way and pass our wisdom on to others.

Father, teach me to become wise and give me opportunities to share my wisdom with others. Thank you for explaining your riddles to me when I choose to humbly listen.

JANUARY 7

FEAR OF THE LORD

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

PROVERBS 1:7 NKJV

What does it mean to fear the Lord? Our loving Father doesn’t want us hiding from him, guilt-ridden and ashamed, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He wants us to have a healthy reverence that leads to lives of obedience and worship. He is King of the universe and fully worthy of our respect and honor.

Sin should scare us because it’s direct disobedience against the Creator who loves and sustains our souls, and sin carries consequences. Fearing the Lord is an appropriate response to understanding his position and greatness. Disrespecting God by insisting on our ways is neither wise nor beneficial. He knows and wants what is best for us, and he is best for us.

Lord, I want to worship you with my life instead of wasting years chasing my desires. You are my King, and the healthy fear I have for you reminds me that the best choices I can make are aligned with your will.

JANUARY 8

LOVING DISCIPLINE

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

PROVERBS 1:8-9 NIV

Discipline can seem distasteful, and we try to avoid it, but loving parents discipline their children. God, our loving Father, wants what is best for us. When we heed his discipline, it’s as if we clothe ourselves in fine garlands and jewelry; the change in our lives will be apparent.

Whether or not we had good parents who raised us to be disciplined adults, we have a heavenly Father guiding us down the best path. Let’s not despise his hand of correction, for it teaches us to walk in wisdom and keeps us from falling into pits of sin. Some lessons are difficult to learn, and sometimes discipline is harsh, but if we remain teachable, we will reap his blessings.

Lord, please teach and guide me. I will not despise your discipline but embrace it because it comes from your great love. I never want to forget the lessons you have taught me.

JANUARY 9

WHEN SINNERS LEAD

My child, if sinners try to lead you into sin, do not follow them.

PROVERBS 1:10 NCV

Following God means we forfeit following others. Sometimes God places people and angels in our lives to lead us in his purposes, and with time spent with him, we can discern those people from sinners trying to entice us in directions that conflict with God’s plan. A person who does not spend time with God will not know his voice from the other voices crowding daily life. We will miss or even choose to ignore the wisdom that would take us to where God wants us to be.

Our Father addresses us as children for a good reason. We have childish tendencies if we do...