Panting For God’s Wisdom
SUNDAY, August 2
Psalm 119:129-136
I love the Psalms! From my college years at North Park when the words of Psalm 139 about being fearfully and wonderfully made were spoken over me, to Psalm 121 being faithfully spoken over my life by my mom who knew a lot about lifting her eyes to God for his help, I have always been comforted, inspired, corrected, and challenged by the words of David.
When was the last time you approached the Psalms with “mouth open and panting”? Let’s face it: the Psalms still speak to us today. When we allow ourselves to sit with God’s word, we can imagine what it feels like to experience a desire for God’s commands that can leave us waiting, open-mouthed, panting! Have you allowed yourself time to ponder the Psalms? Because when we make ourselves available to these important words, God’s words do inspire wonder, and that, in turn, stirs my heart to keep his commands. What is your soul desiring to do in response to God’s wisdom?
Prayer
God, I want to be one who approaches your word with the eagerness of the psalmist. May it be so! Amen.
Asking For God’s Wisdom
Monday, August 3
1 Kings 3:5-12
A friend who is a refugee living in Belgium told me that she and her husband were asking God for wisdom. They had received many blessings in their journey from the Middle East, and now, with permission to stay in Belgium, they were at the place where Solomon found himself, praying for wisdom (v. 9). Notice that God first asks, “What do you want?” (v. 5). God has a huge heart for his children. God knows what we need, yet he asks us what we want.
When my friend told me about their prayer, I covered my face with my hands. This couple, who could have asked for any material thing, most desired God’s wisdom for navigating life in Europe, in a new community that has taught them how to ask for wisdom. I was awed by what God is doing in their lives even as I was awed by their request.
Prayer
God, give me an understanding heart, that I might do well the work that you call me to, so that I too might know the difference between right and wrong. Amen.
God’s Wisdom Needs To Be Planted
Tuesday, August 4
Matthew 13:31-33
Our parable today tells us that something small can produce something large enough to provide for others. The second part of the parable, the image of bread baking and kneading the flour and yeast together, shows how something as small as granules of yeast can produce something as grand as bread. The end result only comes about because someone planted the mustard seed or added the yeast to the flour.
“Build Your Kingdom Here,” by Rend Collective Equipment, is a favorite worship song since our days in Antwerp. It’s the one song that makes me want to dance in church! I was touched by these words: “You made us for much more than this, awake the kingdom seed in us! Fill us with the strength and love of Christ.” Are we making ourselves available, seeking God’s wisdom, so that it might be planted first in our hearts and then in our churches and in our world?
Prayer
Holy Spirit, unleash your kingdom’s power in us. Awaken the kingdom seed in our lives, and make us vessels for your work. amen.
Above All, Pursue God’s Wisdom
Wednesday, August 5
Matthew 13:44-46
Have you ever found a treasure, something that was secret and hidden away? I found my treasure in the inner pocket of a suitcase one year; it was my set of hand-picked pearls from China that had gone missing for several years. I wasn’t happy to admit that I had lost my “one important thing,” but had resolved myself to accept that loss. And then, wonder of wonders, one day I found the pearls. I now wear them with great joy.
What I love in the text today is the reckless pursuit of the trespasser and the jewel merchant. They knew a good thing when they saw it, and whether it was a hidden treasure or a fine pearl, they gave up everything in order to pursue that good thing. So it goes with God’s wisdom. It’s worth giving it all up, all that keeps one busy and restricted in life, in order to pursue God’s wisdom.
Are we willing to “sell all” in our pursuit of God’s wisdom? Perhaps an even more important question to ask is this: are we ready to pursue God’s wisdom?
Prayer
God, whatever it might be that you would ask us to give up, help us to see that pursuing wisdom is above all other things. Amen.
God’s Wisdom And Our Heritage
Thursday, August 6
Romans 9:1-8
I love Paul’s heart and the burden he carries for his fellow Israelites to know the truth! Have you ever had a brother or sister, close family member, good friend, or neighbor who doesn’t understand their need to choose Jesus? Abraham had other descendants, it’s true. But the bigger picture here is this: it’s not being a physical descendant of Abraham that allows you to be a child of God. It’s the belief in Jesus as Messiah, Redeemer, Savior that brings us all to our true heritage as God’s children.
Imagine what it feels like to have a heart like Paul’s, that is filled with sorrow and unending grief for “my people”: the ones whom God has placed in my world today so that I can share God’s wisdom and plan for their life in order that we can be called brothers and sisters in God’s kingdom, even here on earth!
Prayer
God, give me a heart that is filled with sorrow for your people. Amen.
Arguing With God’s Wisdom
Friday, August 7
Romans 9:19-26
One day I would love to observe a potter working with clay, mostly because Scripture is full of references to the process of molding and making.
I love that God is the molder, and we are the clay. A familiar song from my youth, “You are the potter, I am the clay,” might be easy to sing but is not an easy image to embrace. There are times when I don’t like being worked on, being molded into the person God wants me to be. I can easily be the one identified in verse 20, “Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God?” (NLT).
Looking back on my life, I can identify those times when I resisted God’s work. And yet he molds me with such patience, even though he could “make his power known” (v. 22).
Prayer
God, thank you for your patience with me. Forgive me when I resist you, and make me willing to be molded into the person you want me to be. Amen.
God’s Wisdom Brings True Joy
Saturday, August 8
Psalm 128
In our ministry years in Belgium, every Thursday Steve cooked dinner while I was at the local refugee center. My afternoons were crowded with women wearing veils and exuberant chatter, even when we could not find a common language as we drank tea, ate dried fruits and nuts, and shared life together.
Because we lived under the restriction of not being able to talk about God at the center, the women often didn’t know we were from the local church. Yet they would say, “You have so much joy and love in your heart for us.” What an opportunity to shine for Jesus—to tell them that it is not me, but that I love God and am seeking his wisdom. Calling myself a follower of Jesus gave me the opportunity to share the source of my joy.
Prayer
God, your wisdom alone brings true joy. May we seek your wisdom in all that we say and do, even around a cup of tea. Amen.
