Links for today’s readings:
Jan 26 Read: Job 28 Listen: (2:44) Read: Psalm 9 Listen: (2:21)
Scripture Focus: Job 28.20-21
Where then does wisdom come from?
Where does understanding dwell?
It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
concealed even from the birds in the sky.
Reflection: Where is Wisdom — A Guided Prayer
By John Tillman
As you enter January’s final week and consider the year to come, pause to seek God’s wisdom in a responsive prayer inspired by Job’s words.
Lord, where can we find wisdom?
“There is a mine for silver
and a place where gold is refined…
But where can wisdom be found?
Where does understanding dwell?”
Reflect briefly on some decisions you have made. Move chronologically backward. Spend no more than sixty seconds weighing each one as wise or unwise.
Reflect on one from yesterday.
Then one from the weekend.
Then one from last week.
Then one from two weeks or more.
Now return to the words of Job on wisdom’s value.
“No mortal comprehends its worth;
it cannot be found in the land of the living.
The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;
the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
nor can its price be weighed out in silver.”
Reflect on some places you have looked for wisdom.
Articles? Advisors? Academic research?
Thank God for human wisdom! We must, however, confess to God that human wisdom can only take us as far as human understanding, which even the greatest of scientists would admit continually finds more questions than it answers.
Ask God to open to us the true and timeless wisdom that comes from one unlimited source.
“God understands the way to it
and he alone knows where it dwells,
…he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
he confirmed it and tested it.
And he said to the human race,
‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom.’”
Thank God for his wisdom that is first of all pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3.17).
Ask God for his continual grace to grant you his wisdom in each moment of the remaining week, the remaining month, and the rest of this year.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
Deliver me, O Lord, by your hand from those whose portion is life in this world. — Psalm 17.14
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Wisdom—A Spouse, A Path, A Healer
Wisdom is like a healer…gives our bodies nourishment for what needs to grow and medicine for what is sick…Forsaking wisdom is slowly poisoning ourselves.
Read more about Wisdom Versus Obedience
Wisdom is mined from a deep relationship with God. It is refined in the crucible of life.