Daily Devotional

Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.

 The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 24:3-4 (KJV):
3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Proverbs 24:3-4 (AMP):
3 Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established (on a sound and good foundation).
4 And by knowledge shall its chambers (of every area) be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses in Proverbs tell us that through wisdom, knowledge and understanding, we can lay a proper foundation for our lives. We can build and furnish our life with precious things. The book of Proverbs mentions the word "wisdom" over 50 times and that is why it is known as the "Book of Wisdom."  In this book, we are instructed in wisdom in numerous areas of life. The reason so many lives come to ruin is because they do not heed these instructions. The Bible tells us why we are here, and what our purpose in life is. It also tells us what we need to do to live successful lives. So many people come to destruction because of a lack of Biblical knowledge.  Even God's own people suffer because they are ignorant of God's ways. 

Hosea 4:6a:                                                                                                                                                           My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ---

Things in this life do not make sense until we find God and receive an understanding of His ways. The first thing we must do is to build on a foundation of wisdom.  What is wisdom?  It does not mean to be wise or crafty or even educated.  Biblical wisdom is the ability to use the best means at the best time to accomplish the best ends. The only way to do this is to give our lives to Jesus Christ and then follow Him completely.  Since God created us, He certainly knows what we need to do, in order to live in the world He created.

To illustrate this, we can liken it to a manufacturer who includes an instruction book with his product.  For best results, we must follow the operation instructions.  God is the manufacturer who gave us the Bible as an instruction book.  If we bought a steam iron, for it to work properly, we must read the instructions book or we could scorch or burn the item we only intended to press.  First, the iron must be plugged in. That is the foundational principle.  It will not work until that is done. Then, water must be poured into the iron in the proper amount.  After that, the gauge on the iron must be set for the proper temperature for the proper fabric. Only then can the iron be used properly to achieve the proper results.

To liken this to our life on this earth, the Bible tells us we must first build on God's wisdom as our foundation. Once we know that, then understanding of God and His ways will establish us.  We must have a proper and good relationship with Jesus, if we are to be established in Him. Once we have this done, then the knowledge of God's Word will bring us the victory in all areas of our lives. 

Verse 4 tells us that every area will be filled with precious and pleasant riches. What are these riches? As a child of God, we are promised not only spiritual riches (love, joy, peace, righteousness, etc.); we are also promised healing for our bodies, soundness for our minds, and material provision as needed. We have been given great and precious promises as God's children and He wants us to enjoy them.  He wants us to enter into the pleasant land He has prepared for us. God's wisdom is not only needed to build our individual lives, but His Word also outlines the wisdom of God for raising our families, enriching our marriages, managing our businesses, and all other enterprises in this world. When we apply the Word of God to every area of our lives, then our foundation is solid.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for showing us how to live in this life through Your Word.  Lord, help me to give more attention to the Bible, instead of the many things that the world is saying. Lord, help me to hide Your Word in my heart so that I do not sin against You.  I desire to have Your wisdom in every area of my life. Lord, open my understanding to Your Word so that I might do the right things and avoid the wrong things that create problems in my life. May Your wisdom prevail in my life, my home and my business, so that You will be glorified in all that I do.  I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.