Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair …
– Proverbs 1:1-3
At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
– 1 Kings 3:5-12
Devotion
Solomon asked for wisdom and God answered his prayer in a spectacular fashion. Solomon distilled some of his God-given wisdom in the book of Proverbs so that it could be preserved and passed along to future generations—including us!
The book of James is known as “the New Testament Book of Proverbs.” In it James instructed us to ask God for wisdom: “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” (James 1:5).
James contrasts true Godly wisdom with a counterfeit type of earthly wisdom: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:13-17).
The Big Question
Examine your life and ask God to show you where you are susceptible to the counterfeit wisdom James warns about. Have you prayed for godly wisdom as James instructed? Pause right now and humbly, boldly, and in faith, ask God to give you His wisdom.
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.