I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. Proverbs 8:12
Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore, my soul observes them. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, after Your manner with those who love Your name. Establish my footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts. Make Your face shine upon Your servant and teach me Your statutes. Psalm 119:129-135
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18
Today's thoughts from today's verses:
Today is the start of week one of a five-week devotional series entitled, “Wisdom from Above.” This series is all about heavenly wisdom that transforms earthly life. The Lord’s prayer says, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Through the Lord Jesus Christ, heaven and earth have intersected in a powerful way to make it possible for life here on earth to be genuinely transformed in a way that lasts. As those who have been redeemed through Jesus Christ, we want to live life God’s way, and we know we need the “wisdom from above” spoken of in our James passage above in order for our lives to be genuinely transformed in a way that lasts. Over the weeks of this series, we will explore in detail what “wisdom from above” is all about. We hope you will be encouraged, challenged, and guided as you seek to interact with, embrace, and be transformed by the “wisdom from above.”
The series is a compilation of separate weeks of Devotional material. They were selected and put together because they all contribute very nicely to this emphasis. This series has five weeks of Devotional material with each week having five Devotionals. Week One: Navigating Life Well. Week Two: Divine Resources for Human Needs. Week Three: Resiliency in the Face of Troubles. Week Four: The Work of Living Fully. Week Five: Our Eternal Well-being. We begin Week One, Navigating Life Well, with the following:
People everywhere look for insights on how to navigate life. Such insights are referred to as wisdom. Where we look for wisdom and the kind of wisdom that resonates with us depends a great deal on the context or framework from which we view life at any given juncture. The following sentence is found in Scripture: “Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God.” Assuming for the moment that you don’t know where that sentence of Scripture is found, what “purpose” do you think is being referred to. As you consider your answer, the need for knowing the context or framework of understanding that surrounds this sentence about “purpose” becomes apparent.
Consider the word “sharp” for a moment. What possible meanings come to mind? Notice how the following sentences provide a context or framework of meaning for the word, “sharp”: The knife has a very sharp blade; John is a sharp individual; Be there at 8:00 am sharp. Without a context or framework of meaning, we don’t know how to define appropriately the word, “sharp,” but with it we are all set. In our sentence from Scripture, the sentence itself provides some context or framework of understanding about the use of the word “purpose,” but not enough to show us what specific “purpose” is being referred to. So, we need a bigger context or framework if we are to know the specific purpose. What purpose did you come up with? The actual purpose being referred to is this: Leaving behind our earthly house (our body) for our eternal home in Heaven.
The bigger context or framework of 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 reveals to us the “purpose” being referred to. However, this sentence and the passage it came from were used, not to illustrate the importance of context and framework in writing, but to illustrate the importance of context and framework in life. And this passage wonderfully gives that to us. Living life here (earth) in the context or framework of what comes next (heaven) is huge and has everything to do with our actually living fully for God. The Lord’s Prayer says, “Your (Heavenly Father’s) will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When we seek to live life on earth in the reality of heaven, we will have a context or framework for living life that keeps in mind that our Heavenly Father calls the shots (commandment, precepts, statutes) about what is right and true, He reveals truth (wisdom) to us, and He empowers us to live that truth in practical ways in everyday life. This is the focus of this week’s Devotionals.
Today's prayer response from today's thoughts:
Lord, in my life, I really do want “your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I confess though that far too often I get caught up in the things of earth and forget to keep heaven in mind. So, I really need your help with consistently keeping the reality of heaven in my mind and heart so that I truly do “navigate life well.” Lord, as the one who is truly in charge, I submit to you and the “wisdom from above” that you bestow. Thank you for your ordering of my life here on earth. Amen!
