October 1: “7 Steps to Obtaining Wisdom”

5 Minute Read + Scripture readings

Today’s Bible Reading:

1 Kings 3
Ephesians 1
Ezekiel 34
Psalms 83-84

Today’s Bible Verse(s):

Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):

As Solomon became the king of Israel in his father’s place, he offered up a request to the Lord. Given the chance to ask for anything he wanted, he asked for wisdom. He desired to lead well the people under his care. God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that He granted Solomon wisdom … and many of the good things he did not ask for.

So, we can observe in this text that God is greatly pleased when we ask for wisdom. When we claim the promise of James 1:5-8, God is happy that we would ask for such a thing.

But the question becomes: “How do we get wisdom? Does God simply do an information upload on our brain that instantly gives us the wisdom we have prayed for? Or is it typically a longer process?

While it is certainly possible that God can give us wisdom in the moment, it seems that He typically gives wisdom over a prolonged period of time. God has given us His Word to read and master and He will also teach us life lessons along the way to increase our wisdom.

So, let’s end with the obvious question: “If wisdom is so wonderful, how do I get it?”

Let me share 7 habits that I have observed in the Bible and in my own experience:

1. Submit yourself completely to the Lord.

Proverbs 9:10 (CSB): “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Have a healthy fear of God that motivates you to enjoy Him, obey Him, and submit to Him. Your relationship with your God is the foundation upon which wisdom is to be built.

2. Since God is infinitely wise, spend much time with the Book He has written (the Bible).

1 Corinthians 1:24-25 (CSB): “Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.”

3. Reflect (meditate) regularly upon the Gospel and upon Jesus.

Colossians 2:2-3 (CSB): “I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

4. Pray and ask the Lord for wisdom, believing that He will give it to you.

James 1:5-6 (CSB): “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting…”

5. Spend much time with wise people, particularly folks who are older than you.

Proverbs 13:20 (CSB): “The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Job 12:12 (CSB): “Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.”

6. Humbly receive correction and instruction from others and make the necessary adjustments in your thinking and actions.

Proverbs 19:20 (CSB): “Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life.”

7. Opportunities to grow in wisdom are all around you so reflect upon and learn from life’s experiences.

Proverbs 1:20-21 (CSB): “Wisdom calls out in the street; she makes her voice heard in the public squares. She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:”

* * * * * * * * * *

Lord Jesus, I need wisdom. I simply do not have all that it takes to live this one life You have given to me. I am liable at any moment to make a mistake that could have ramifications for the rest of my life. So, please give me wisdom and help me to cooperate with the biblical principles that You typically use to instill wisdom into Your servants. Amen.