Category: wisdom

Unwavering Integrity

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 16 & 17

Poetry: Proverbs 4

New Testament: Ephesians 2

As someone who recently dipped my toe in the job pool for the first time in roughly a decade, my curiosity led me to search for job traits of the highly-sought after employees.  I wanted to know what to stress in order to make me the most marketable candidate to separate myself from the pack. I have a number of traits which I feel are valued in the workplace.  I am creative, a troubleshooter, I work well with others, I am honest, a great listener, a quick learner, have pretty good credentials, and can feign intelligence.  While many of the attributes showed up on the Family Feud board, they were not the number one answer.  So what is the most highly sought after trait? Dependability. A CEO, an administrator, a middle-manager are all looking for predictable actions from their employees in order to make schedules, projections, or take calculated risk. I really had to reflect on my dependability. What would be my Vegas odds? For showing up on time?  Seeing things through? Using my work time ethically? Giving my best effort on all aspects of my job?  Are stress, weather, or home field advantage influential factors?

It is not just employers looking for our dependability, or more accurately, unwavering integrity.  Proverbs 4 insists that seeking wisdom and counsel in the word of God is a critical aspect. When we are guided by God’s wisdom, no matter the circumstance, we are found along a straight path and we do not stumble. (4:11,12)  On any other path we find ourselves arriving late, giving up when the situation becomes pressed or less advantageous, we may steal time for ourselves, or phoning in the work of God.

In a continuation of the challenge to the throne of the king that occurs in 2 Samuel, David is cursed by Shimei, who is ready to watch David receive his just desserts for the damage done to the house of Saul. David doesn’t defend himself and halts a rushed retribution ready to be delivered by Abashai. A quick note about the irony here, Saul impulsively chucked literal spears at David, a far less-measured approach.  David. however, acts in faith, knowing that the words may be from God, and he might need to heed them, and if not, God will deliver justice and redemption in His time.  David proves again to be a level-headed leader, but furthermore, a dependable agent of God.

Likewise, in the moments we are called out or we are tossed by a rough crosswind, (Mark 4) our true measure of our dependability is on display. Do we really continue walking on a straight path when it seems like each step becomes more rocky, the ground shifts, or we hear the thunder clapping above? It is easy to become reactive, volatile, and abandon our posts. Ephesians 2 speaks of the origin of grace, but far too often we forget to continue to read on to understand why the grace of God is extended: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  We should continue to take faithful steps because our works, our way, and our walk have been prepared beforehand by our God.  This is the only integrous act if we have accepted the grace of God and the anointing (chosen by God) knowledge of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:20).

When your name makes a run through the mud, be dependable.  When someone uses their power to persecute you, be dependable. When it seems you are deserving of fairer weather, be dependable. When you are called to move on faith alone, be dependable. Ultimately, God will have an answer waiting in the wisdom’s walk.  Better yet, God has promised to reward those who live with this integrity to the good work they are called to, giving eternity to those who depend on the Lord for their steps today. 

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. If you were applying for a job doing the good works God has prepared for you to do, could you truthfully list “dependable” on your resume? In what instances have you been less than dependable? Have there been times when your integrity wavered? What got in the way?
  2. How can you work towards boosting your unwavering integrity score? What could/should you add in to your life? What could/should you take away? What do you think helped build David’s integrity at this point in his life? Are there any attitude shifts you might want to work on?
  3. What good works do you think God has prepared for you to do? Are you doing them – dependably?
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Ramifications & Restorations

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 13 & 14

Poetry: Proverbs 2

New Testament: Galatians 6

The second day of school has traditionally been my rule day. In the midst of hearing about respect, responsibility and best efforts, students are surprisingly invited to leave the classroom.  “Did you know you don’t have to sit here and listen to me speak another word? In fact, you can leave. You can walk out right now…” Typically someone who I will get to know better as my class clown playfully walks to the door, and then I say, “but you have to deal with the consequences.” Then I lead students down the timeline of possible outcomes that lead to suspension, loss of friendships, poorer relationships at home, less opportunity in the future, and finally, on their deathbed alone, all because they chose to walk out of my class.  Thankfully, no one has ever walked out.

Amnon’s actions are far more sinister than walking out on his teacher.  Acting on his lust, he rapes his half-sister, both a violation and grievous sin against God’s law.  This comes with its own un-hyperbolic chain of tragic ramifications. For two years, his half-brother, Absalom, becomes consumed with calculating revenge. There is discord in the family tree designed after God’s own heart. Ultimately, Amnon’s disregard for divine laws leads to an untimely death. This is the havoc that sin can wreak, even in a single choice.

It is safe to say that most of our choices fall between leaving a classroom without permission and Amnon’s sin. Likewise, the vast majority of time, the immediate consequence lies somewhere between a phone call home and death (although, quick note: all sin leads to death. Rom 3:23)  So how do we stay away from the edge of the slippery slope? Proverbs 2:1-5 gives us an insight:

“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” 

The pursuit of wisdom from God is portrayed as a protective measure against the consequence of sin, serving as a shield and guide against temptation. It leads us far and away from destructive patterns or downfalls and moves us closer to our good intentions, but better yet, our good God.  

Furthermore, we do not have to fight sin or seek wisdom alone.  Paul beckons the family of God to be on the watch for one another. In Galatian 6 he states, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” This means that offering wisdom to one another in the form of correction and accountability may halt the tragic dominos from falling or make a path forward to clean up the mess, “bearing one another’s burden.” In this way, Joab advises Absalom to deal with his own ramifications, temporarily restoring the rift in the line of David.

We must be diligent to seek God’s wisdom, especially when navigating temptation.  If the chips have already fallen, let the consequence be a sobering reminder that there is opportunity for restoration in God through Jesus Christ. Though it may still hurt in the present, be reminded that the sting and tears are conditions of mortality and not life eternal.  Likewise, let us pull alongside others who are battling, being gracious because of our own shortcomings, running to their defense and offering correction. In this way, we may avoid the siege that comes with a breached wall of will and choose the power of restoration through God’s wisdom and grace.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you more intent upon seeking after wisdom or your own will? What can you do to pursue wisdom more?
  2. How can you be a part of someone else’s battle against temptation and their own will? How can you help, offering restoration with God, to one who is caught in their sin? Give specifics – name who, and your actions to free them from their deadly trap.
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God’s Guidance System

Old Testament: Numbers 9

Poetry: Job 8

New Testament: Acts 22

My college kids and I just completed a 2100 mile spring break trip with Apple Maps guiding the way – telling us when to turn, when to go straight and when to reroute. The Israelites preparing to set out into the wilderness missed out on this modern technology, but they had something so much better.

They had been camped out in the region of Sinai and it had now been two years since they had left Egypt. During this time they were learning God’s commands and learning what happens when you break them. Also, the tabernacle was being built and furnished and set up so God would have a dwelling amongst them, even during their coming travels to the Promised Land.

But, without maps (print or digital) how would they know where to go? I enjoyed what Kyle McClain had to say about their direction system in his March 4, 2021 devotion for SeekGrowLove, so I will share that here:

“Truth be told, there are a ton of events recorded in the Bible that would be flat out awesome to see firsthand!  Of all the awesome things to see, Numbers chapter 9 records one of the top 10 things that I would have liked to have witnessed firsthand – maybe top 5.  That awesome thing recorded is the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites where to go at night.  During the day, a pillar of cloud guided them, but at night it had the appearance of fire.  How cool would it be to see the pillar of fire in the sky at night?!  I would say top 10 throughout the whole Bible!  Our God is incredible, and he is capable of some awesome feats.

I don’t think many of us are going to be led by a pillar of cloud or fire.  However, similar to the Israelites, we can and should still be guided by God.  There’s a very good chance that the guidance that God provides you will not be as obvious as the pillar of cloud or fire.  Therefore, we really need to be in tune with God and keep our eyes, ears, heart, and mind open to His guidance.  There are a number of ways in which God can lead us, so we should be ready at all times.  If we are actively seeking God’s guidance, then we are much more likely to see it.  That has to do with our Reticular Activating System in our brains.  If you don’t know what that is, then look it up on Google or YouTube.  You’ll be amazed.

 I would encourage you all to pray to God to help you become susceptible to God’s guidance.  You may be surprised with all the ways that God attempts to guide you.”

Also in Numbers 9 we see Moses setting a great example of what to do when we are unsure of how to proceed and don’t know what God wants us to say or do. Some Israelites asked Moses if they were able to celebrate the Passover because they were unclean at the time (had recent contact with a dead body). Moses wasn’t sure. God hadn’t told him, yet. Instead of making up something on the spot that sounded smart at the time, Moses said, “Wait until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you” (Numbers 9:8). And God rewarded Moses’ wisdom by giving His answer.

What do you do when you don’t know where to go or when to go and when to stay? Seek direction from the Lord! When you don’t know the answer, like Moses, wait until you find out from the Lord. And what do you do as you wait? I do not recall any time I have received direction from God while I am watching the latest tv show or scrolling on my phone. However, I have lost count of the number of times I have received God’s direction while reading from His Word. His answers are there for your life, too. Faithfully stay in His Word, following His guidance system.

-Marcia Railton and Kyle McClain

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you do when you don’t know where or when God wants you to go or stay or say or do?
  2. When have you received God’s direction in your life? Did you follow it?
  3. What do we also learn from Paul in our Acts reading today about following God’s direction?
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Trusting in Yourself?

Old Testament: Jeremiah 51-52
Poetry: Proverbs 28
New Testament: Revelation 1


So, I spent most of today on a ladder. Not to sound too pompous, but I recently purchased “The Little Giant.” I was very excited. I tried to make it into a shape that would fit on our stairs, but I wasn’t having much luck. Finally, I let the ladder be and watched a few videos about how to use it. I then swallowed my pride and asked my husband for assistance. With some wrangling and a
few terse comments (I’m sorry Daniel!) we got the ladder into a position in which I could reach the areas I intend to paint. Later, we had a good laugh when Dan sent me the meme of a guy falling off a ladder saying, “When I lean on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). I do feel so bad for that guy and I am very glad I didn’t follow in his direction. We see a very similar verse in Proverbs 28:26. “He who follows his own heart is a fool.” In both verses, when we do not
seek out wise counsel and mentorship as I have mentioned before, we will lead ourselves astray.


While standing on the ladder, I mulled over the verses in Jeremiah, I wondered why kings did not listen to Jeremiah. They didn’t even have to seek him out. He was right there at their beck and call. They knew he was wise and sent from the Lord. I just don’t understand. Jeremiah 51 recaps what was going to happen to Babylon; Jeremiah even notes that there was opportunity for repentance but the Babylonian king was not interested. Jeremiah 52 recaps all that had happened to Zedekiah, Jehoiachin, and the people of Judah. Zedekiah never does turn things
around. I am unclear as to when or if Jehoiachin turned to the Lord but his story does end nicely. It is believed by many scholars that he did repent and that is why he did have a descendant return to the throne despite the Lord’s initial punishment denying descendants the throne. But it just seems to me that every story would have had a better outcome if they had just listened to the Lord.


Luckily for us, John did exactly what he was told and recorded what he saw in the vision he had seen and sent it to the seven churches in Asia, which is modern day Turkey. As frightening as Revelation can be, I love that in chapter 1, Christ starts with assuring John and us that HE is in control. We don’t have to lean on our understanding, make decisions without Godly counsel, or live lives without a future hope. Not to give away the ending, but Christ wins it all and if we believe in him, we will win too.


Had I not followed the directions in the videos for my new fancy ladder, I might not be writing this tonight as I might be in a cast. I know I sound like a broken record at this point (have someone over 50 explain what that means if you don’t know) but scripture repeats this too. Trust the Lord, follow His commands, give Him control of your life. It will not lead to a perfect life, but it will be a life tested and approved.

-Maria Knowlton

Questions for Reflection

  1. When have you tried to do things (regarding ladders or life) your own way and what was the result?
  2. When have you walked in wisdom instead – and what was the result?
  3. Who has shared wise counsel with you when you needed it? How did they do so?
  4. How does it help reading Revelation – and going through life – knowing how the story ends? Who do you know who might not have heard yet how the story ends? How can you share the story and wise counsel with them?
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In Need of a Home Inspector

Old Testament: Jeremiah 43, 44, 45
Poetry: Proverbs 25
New Testament: Intro to Jude – see below


“REXBURG, Idaho – The five-bedroom house sits on pastoral acreage in the rural U.S. countryside. At a price less than $180,000, it seemed a steal.


But a bargain it wasn’t. Ben and Amber Sessions soon realized the dream home they’d purchased in Idaho for their growing family in 2009 was infested with hundreds upon hundreds of garter snakes.


The ground surrounding the home appeared to move at times, it was so thick with snakes. Throngs of snakes crawled beneath the home’s siding. At night, the young couple said they would lie awake and listen to slithering inside the walls.


“It was like living in one of those horror movies,” said Ben Sessions, 31.”


I wonder if this nightmare could have been avoided with a house inspection before this young couple purchased this home. I imagine in the excitement of buying a home for a great price and naively trusting their realtor that the stories about snakes in the area were a myth, a home inspector probably didn’t seem necessary.


In Jeremiah 43-45, God is the home inspector. Through Jeremiah, God warns the Judeans not to go to Egypt. Though this warning was not due to snakes, but worse, false gods. Depending on what Wikipedia article you read, the Egyptians of the time had between 1500 to 2000 false gods. While the gods did not actually exist, the people who worshiped them certainly did and were the “influencers” of their time. God knew that if the Judeans went to Egypt, they would quickly fall in step with the practices of the Egyptian culture. In fact, many of the women were already worshiping the “Queen of Heaven,” the goddess of sex and war. God does not accept practicing sexual immorality (which He reminds us again through Jude, which just HAPPENS to be our New Testament reading for the day. Coincidence? I think not!). Even more so, God is a jealous
God and does not accept worshiping other gods. Besides all that, we were already told that God told the people NO. And that should have been that.


While it’s highly unlikely you will find yourself in a house overrun with snakes or a culture overrun with false gods, are there things in your life you are heading into without the benefit of a “home inspector?” Is it safe and wise to go where you are heading? Be wise and design your plans with the help of the Lord and a Christ-following mentor. I am not just writing to just the teens here. All of us, of any age, need the wisdom only God can provide, often through a mentor.


The young people in the snake story and the Judeans in Jeremiah had their own plans and didn’t let things like lack of a home inspection or God’s blessing get in the way of their plans. Sadly, the young couple had to go into bankruptcy to get out of the house and the people who went to Egypt were destroyed. Do not follow in their paths.

-Maria Knowlton

Reflection Questions

  1. Can you think of a time when you chose to do it your way instead of God’s way? What was the result? What might have happened instead if you would have done it God’s way?
  2. If you ask God to inspect your home/life, what might He point out as red flags to be cautious of or totally remove for your safety and the safety of others? What reinforcements would He recommend you add in order to create a stronger home?
  3. In the end, whose word will stand – God’s or yours? How do you know? Knowing that, how should you life today?

Jude Introduction

The book of Jude was written by Jude, the brother of James and believed to also be the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55 and 1 Corinthians 9:5).

The book of Jude is very similar to 2 Peter 2, urgently warning against false teachers who have slipped in among the believers.  It warns against falling away from the faith, giving as examples the Israelites who were delivered from Egypt but were later destroyed, and angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home.  Jude wanted to not only make people aware of false teachers, but also to encourage believers to fight for the truth.

I’ll close with Jude 1:22, “Be merciful to those who doubt, snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”

-Steve Mattison

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A Proverb a Day Keeps the Folly at Bay #1

Old Testament: Jeremiah 25-26

Poetry: Proverbs 16

New Testament: 2 Peter 3

Over the next few days, I’d like the reader to notice how much wisdom is condensed in each of Solomon’s pithy proverbs and how they can help us live better. Sound good? When looking at the Proverbs (or any Old Testament passage), we must always remember that, though these passages were written before Jesus was born, it is both appropriate and beneficial to interpret and apply the passages to our lives in light of the revelation of God’s son. Each time you read a passage in Proverbs, consider taking a deeper dive into just one verse to see how the reflections of someone a few thousand years removed from our modern context can still have relevance to our plight in this broken world.  

The proverb I want to consider and meditate on today is Proverbs 16:22, which in the English Standard Version goes like this:  

“Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.” 

I’m not sure if good sense has ever really been common or if “common sense” is what Solomon would consider good. From my perspective (maybe I’m just getting old and crotchety at 29), there isn’t much good sense flowing freely in our society–just turn on the TV or scroll down your social media feed. There is some, however, and where it is found, it is like a fountain flowing within an oasis in a barren, desert land.  

I’ve heard (though I can’t remember where) that most people who get behind the wheel of a car (the number I heard was above 90%) in both this country (USA) and in the land of our cousins across the pond (GB) believe themselves to be above-average drivers. If you consider this for a moment, you will realize how absurd this is. I think most people (I would guess north of 90%) have at least a small blind spot in their relationship to reality. I know I have at times overestimated my ability to maneuver a motor vehicle at high speeds (no accidents, yet…not a high speed, anyway).  

This inability to see ourselves in relation to the world clearly could be called folly, while the ability to do so can be deemed wisdom. The wise person, who has good sense, will receive instruction, discipline, and correction as a means of growth. The foolish person, who has a lack of sense, will see things such as teaching, reproof, and direction as an unnecessary waste of time, something only for those who “need” it. Because of this, the wise will continue to flourish like a tree soaking in the life it receives from water and nutrients, while the folly of the fool will ensure the continued degradation of their weakly rooted weed–that is, their inner life. 

This proverb takes on a new meaning in light of the Good news. Jesus gives living water and refreshes and restores those who have the good sense to recognize their need for him. Despite our lack of self-awareness, if we turn our attention to Jesus–that is, if we are aware of our need for his help, mercy, and kindness, we can drink from the fountain of life in a new sense (in the best sense). To see Jesus and not recognize our need for him as Savior is the highest form of folly. Exercise good sense and drink the water that satisfies like nothing else.  

-Joel Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your own “good sense”? How do you think those who know you well would rate you? Are there any specific areas where you might benefit from a more accurate view of yourself and reality?
  2. Do you recognize your need for Jesus to be your Savior? If so, how would you explain it to someone who didn’t?
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The Great Search

Old Testament: Job 28 & 29

Poetry: Psalm 43

New Testament: Titus 1


We all consider certain things to be impossible for us, whether or not it is impossible for others.  Some may consider painting a picture that looks nice impossible.  Others may think that building a house is impossible.  But, these things are not impossible for everyone.  We know that there are people we could call to help with these things.


In Job 28:1-11, Job describes a task that may be considered impossible by some people: the search for gold and silver.  Man searches endlessly for this gold and silver, where the birds have not seen it and the lions have not walked.  It seems almost impossible for the man to ever find these treasures he seeks.  Yet, the man keeps searching after it, not giving up.  At the end of this section, we see that the man finds the hidden treasures and brings them forth into the light.  This task wasn’t impossible.  It wasn’t even the hardest task that man could seek to achieve.


In Job 28:12-28, we hear of an even more impossible task for man to try to accomplish: the search for wisdom.  Verses 13-19 show just how impossible this task is.  It is not found in the land of the living, the deep, or the sea.  It is more valuable than gold, silver, onyx, topaz, or any other valuable treasures.  Wisdom cannot be compared to any of these valuables.


If finding any of these treasures is almost impossible, as shown in verses 1-11, how hard must finding wisdom be with its value?  Where can we find wisdom?  Job 28:28 answers this question and says, “‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;  And to depart from evil is understanding.’”  This seemingly impossible task is made possible by the fear of the Lord, with which wisdom is found.


In each of our searches for wisdom, we need to do two things.  First, fear the Lord.  In multiple places throughout the Bible, it says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Second, we need to ask God for wisdom.  In James 1:5-6, it says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”  

-Kaitlyn Hamilton

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you find valuable? What value do you personally place on wisdom? Job says, “the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.” (Job 28:18b). What would you say the price of wisdom is beyond?
  2. Describe the relationship between God and wisdom? What might Job mean when he says, “God understands the way to it (wisdom) and he alone knows where it dwells…he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.” (Job 28:20, 27)
  3. Where is wisdom NOT found? Where specifically do you search for wisdom?
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Transcendental Wisdom

Old Testament: Job 9 & 10

Poetry: Psalm 35

New Testament: John 15

I have never been mechanically minded.  I really don’t have a clue how engines or electronics work.  I know gas goes into a car and electricity goes to a TV, but I don’t really know what happens after that.  Inevitably, as a lower middle class family, something is bound to stop, break, and make a questionable noise. In these moments, I really don’t have a clue on where to begin. Thankfully, I live in the information age.  Some saints out there have encountered the same problem and recorded a video of him/herself repairing it.  Time and time again, I follow their instructions step by step, and, with a pretty good success rate, I make the repair without truly understanding every element along the way.

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” – Job 9:10

“How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him? Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.” – Job 9:14-15

God makes it clear that we neither have the capacity nor the clearance to know all the inner workings of what is to come.  Job comes to this realization turned revelation that he isn’t, nor can he be, on the same level as God.  God not only created the universe and its governances, but also actively works in it, ordaining His will upon man. His work is endless, infinite, and interconnected through the story of salvation. So when we are faced with trials, decisions, and repair, He alone is the expert that we turn to.  Through His scriptures or through petition in prayer, God offers insight into a wisdom that transcends all others.If we want to know more, we, the branches, must stay connected to the vine, Jesus Christ. He has already given us revelation in the Gospels and through John, detailing the events leading up to the return of Christ.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

“So my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation. All my bones will say, “Lord, who is like You, who rescues the afflicted from one who is too strong for him, and the afflicted and the poor from one who robs him?” – Psalm 35:9-10

Conversely, we don’t have to understand it all.  We can’t, at least not right now on this side of the Kingdom of God.  We have to follow the Fixer in faith, knowing that picking up the correct part number and knowing the specific function are less important than the repair that needs to take place in our hearts to get us back up and running.  In Psalm 35, David demonstrates this to us by calling upon the promises of God to sustain him and defeat his enemy.  He doesn’t ask to know how to move the pieces, He only wants to know the Mover better.

He knows what is on the other side of the mountain, therefore the steps He chooses for us lead us to His Kingdom. If we never received a new revelation and if God never revealed His specific will for us, we already have access to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, alongside the prescription to live a life for Him. This is eternal, transcendental wisdom, and thank you God for revealing it to us.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you spend enough time contemplating the majesty and greatness of God? What wonders and miracles can you thank Him for today?
  2. How often do you try to raise yourself to God’s level – or lower God to yours? What are the dangers of each?
  3. What wisdom has God already shared with you and how? What is currently beyond your capacity and clearance? Praise God for being who He alone is.
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Wisdom, Please

Old Testament: 1 Kings 3-4

Poetry: Proverbs 31

New Testament: Acts 25


Throughout the month of May, we have been gleaning Solomon’s wisdom, as we read a proverb each day. In our broken world, wisdom is the ability to distinguish between what’s good and what’s fallen. It allows us to see from God’s perspective and make choices that honor Him. Solomon received wisdom in the same manner we do: asking for it.


At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.”


And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my
father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:5, 7-9, ESV).


Solomon was humble. He knew that he could not navigate his responsibilities on his own. He refers to himself as a little child in charge of too many people to even count. The first step in asking for wisdom is recognizing you need it.


Solomon was prepared to receive. He goes to Gibeon to make a sacrifice on the
same altar he once sacrificed one thousand burnt offerings to God. Gibeon was
considered the most holy place at the time because it was home to the Tabernacle that Moses built (2 Chronicles 1:2-3). Solomon’s dedication is astonishing! I think we are sometimes quick to overlook how incredible facts like this are when reading our Bibles. I mean—imagine slaughtering, draining, cutting, and burning one thousand animals. It’s this dedication and intimacy with God that puts him in the posture to hear God’s voice and receive His gifts.


Solomon’s priorities were in order. He could’ve asked for wealth, to live forever, or a plethora of wives (well… he kinda does that later). Instead, he asks for wisdom to govern Israel, God’s chosen people, better. Solomon knew the great calling on his life and chose a gift accordingly. God honored the way Solomon ordered his desires and blessed him with the riches, honor, and longevity in addition.


At first, it’s easy to be jealous of God’s blank check offer to Solomon. But what if I told you that God has extended the same offer to you? Like Solomon, we can receive wisdom just by asking for it. God wants us to see from His perspective, to discern right from wrong, and make choices that honor Him. It’s really a win-win situation.


If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without
reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5, ESV)


God gives wisdom generously. Have you asked?

-Mackenzie McClain


Reflection Questions:

  1. Have you humbled yourself before God? We live in a broken, gray world that
    requires more than your own understanding. Unpopular opinion: you actually
    don’t have what it takes (on your own, that is). You need God’s help!
  2. Are you prepared to receive? Are you ready to listen to God’s voice? Do you
    spend your days with your Bible open, hands folded in prayer, and surrounded by godly influences?
  3. Are your priorities in order? Are you seeking after the right things?
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Sharpening One Another

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 21 & 22

*Poetry: Proverbs 27

New Testament: Acts 21

     Today we will discuss a few pieces of wisdom from Proverbs 27. Some sections of the book offer extended advice on one topic, but for this chapter I will just comment on three verses.

     “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:6). I think this is a helpful reminder about the nature of wisdom, whether with human friends or our relationship with God. Love sometimes involves the willingness to say someone is wrong, but being told you are wrong can be painful. That means the friend can be taking a risk to offer that truth. And the pain involved for the one hearing the truth may be in proportion to how much pride has built up for them, how much of a false image needs to be removed. But truth is better than a lie, even when truth hurts. (A proverb can’t cover every detail, and this isn’t saying that a friend should seek to harm when giving the truth. Faithfulness and friendship are already assumed in this proverb.) But on the other side of matters an enemy will be quite ready to mislead while seeming friendly, giving deceitful kisses (perhaps only metaphorically) as they guide someone’s conduct and heart astray. Remember that truth is not determined by how we feel when we first hear it, it must be examined.

     When I was at Bible college we used to talk about Proverbs 27:14: “If you loudly greet your neighbor early in the morning, he will think of it as a curse.” To me the application for this text involved the frustration of being up early if you were not a morning person, if someone else was and they were not cautious about their conduct. At college we had added issues to watch out for, like people who had stayed up late into the night studying or writing, or talking about theology (or life). But when I looked up this text to see the views of researchers I found reference after reference treating it as about over-the-top flattery or kindness being treated as a sign of hypocrisy to be rejected. I was quite surprised. Maybe I was just too focused on one perspective, or perhaps I am too used to honesty to think in those terms. Still, it never occurred to me from the text to see the meaning that way. But this is a useful illustration of the fact that proverbs are open to interpretation. Dwelling on one, working it over in your mind, or even sharing your thoughts about it with another person, can allow you to gain insight.

“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (v. 17) This is another proverb that I have been aware of and considered for many years. It brings to mind a late stage in the process of developing a tool, perhaps a sword. It supposes that we all are hardened, we all have gone through some discipline and experience. But seeking to grow with each other we can hone the edges of what we are meant to be. Some years ago there was a theological journal published out of Michigan called Sharpening Steel which took its name from this verse. I believe the idea of the title was that by people examining scriptures and writing about what they learned from them believers would be able to help each other gain new ideas and new thoughts about how to grow and serve. It is a useful principle for a journal but also for how we operate in our regular lives.

Lord, as I finish this week of writing devotions I ask you to watch over the people who have been reading these words. Help them to find the strength they need. None of them are meant to be acting alone. Please, Lord, help the ones that are trying to go it alone this week to reach out to a brother or a sister in Christ and acknowledge that they need more strength than they have. Don’t let any of us be closed off. I feel that this is not the case right now. Let your Spirit work in the hearts of your people. Let the knowledge of Jesus’s love warm us all. May we reach out to each other. In the name of your son I pray these things. Amen.

-Daniel Smead

Questions:

  1. Can you look back on a time when you think you learned something that seemed painful and you later recognized it was true and valuable? Has that changed your behavior?
  2. What do you speak to other believers about? How often do you find time to talk about what you have valued in the scripture? Or what you find beautiful in the world? Or what you have struggled with?
  3. Don’t assume that you must be much stronger than those around you to be able to be of any help – iron can sharpen iron, it doesn’t take diamond. Notice that the proverb is meant to work both ways, are you prepared to be strengthened by those around you? For that to happen will there need to be any change in your thinking or your attitudes?
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