Seeking God's Wisdom and His Best

Just as God prepared Adam for Eve's "arrival" by having him name the animals, allowing him to see they each had a complement but none were suitable for him as his helpmate, God prepares us to welcome changes in our lives with joyous expectation. When I wrote the following devotion last month to kick off a new series on Proverbs, I shared in it how I sensed that I was being led to cut back on outside commitments so that I could give more attention to my family. Perhaps they will be needing me more in the near future?  I have no idea what is in store, but I knew at that moment that I had to build more margin into our family calendar to be ready for it. So I find it "ironic" that the devotion would be published by our women's ministry today, right after my most time consuming outside commitment (which I loved too much to give up but knew I probably should) was taken from me.  So now I'm seeing that nudge toward creating more margin in my life as God's way of preparing me for what is to come.  And whatever it is, I want His ways (not mine), for His ways are not just good or better, but best! Are doors closing in your life? Get ready for His best to come. Seek wisdom and direction from above.
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Wisdom From the Proverbs 
Devotion based on Proverbs 1-3

The book of Proverbs is the Bible’s handbook for wisdom.  It gives specific instructions for many life situations including worship, parenting resource management, fleeing temptation, and maintaining healthy relationships. Since the book of Proverbs is a primary reference source for discipleship and parenting, I made a commitment this year to study a proverb every morning with our children before school and then discuss the proverb during our commutes to school each day.  What wonderful blessings have poured out of these “proverbial” morning conversations!

As we began Proverbs 1, the children immediately recognized God’s command to seek wisdom.  At ages 8 and 10, they already knew they did not want the simple, sinful life of a fool, so they asked how to gain wisdom.  Our loving Lord knows our questions before we ask them, and He shows us plainly in the proverbs where to find wisdom. Our children had already made the first steps toward wisdom by desiring it and by acknowledging that God is the source of all wisdom.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

They blushed and grimaced when they read that while wisdom ultimately comes from God, He imparts wisdom to children through the instruction and teaching of their parents. (Proverbs 1: 8-9) 

Our kids were probably thinking, “Oh no, not another reminder that I have to obey Mom and Dad”, but I was thinking, “Oh no, God has entrusted me to pass along His wisdom to my children.  Am I faithful to seize every opportunity to teach them, or do I miss those opportunities because I am too preoccupied with my own overwhelming agenda?”  We must be intentional in our parenting, for we only have a sliver of time with our children.  The season of parenting is like a speck too small to see on the eternal timeline of their souls, yet what they do with the teaching we give them during that brief time period will likely have a huge impact on their eternity.  We must consistently make God’s word the center of our interactions with our children. (Deuteronomy 11:19-20)

In addition to fearing God and listening to our parents’ instructions with a heart of obedience, the pursuit of wisdom absolutely requires that we listen to God, receive and treasure His word, and never stop seeking Him.  

“…but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”   (Proverbs 1:33)

Proverbs 2 and 3 describe many benefits that come when we listen and obey God.  God gives those who seek Him insight (Prov. 2:3), knowledge and understanding (Prov. 2: 3-6). He shields, guards, protects, and delivers those who obey His wisdom and walk with integrity (Prov. 2: 7-16).  Obedience to God’s commands will prolong and enrich our lives on earth and give us peace. (Proverbs 3:2)  Wise living brings favor with God and man, success (Proverbs 3:4), healing, and refreshment (Proverbs 3:8).  

As my daughter read these chapters, she could not help but want God’s wisdom and direction in her life.  Proverbs 3: 5-7 warns us not to rely on our own knowledge but to seek God’s direction in all things.  So, my daughter asked, “How do I know if the voice I’m hearing in my heart is coming from God or from the world?”

I answered her with this question, “If you were blindfolded in a crowded room with lots of different people talking to you, how would you know which voice was mine?”

She answered, “I would know your voice because I hear it all the time.”

So I replied with conviction in my own heart, “Then seek to know God more than you seek to know this world. Be diligent to read and hear His words ‘all the time’ and you will know.” (John 10:27-28)

I still struggle to discern God’s voice.   I tend to over-analyze every major decision using decision matrix tools from my business and engineering training, as if those tools possessed any wisdom or knowledge, while I wait on God to make the choice clear.  Yet, I hear Him better when I stop relying on my own efforts or education obtained from the world, and seek answers directly from the One who made and sustains the world.  

Recently, I was confronted with a ministry opportunity which seemed like a great fit for me personally but would require more hours away from our home.  I received encouragement to at least pursue it from wise women and prayer partners whom God has used powerfully in the past to lead me along His path and away from mine.  Before we had even prayed about it, we were devising ways to outsource some of my responsibilities at home so that I could pursue this open door.

As I focused my efforts on seeking Him, however, he pulled my heart away from what initially seemed like the ideal opportunity.  As I sat on the sofa, cuddling with my son during a rare moment of stillness, he looked up at me and said, “I wish you had time to do more fun things with me.”

At that moment, wisdom shouted, “You are too busy already. You can’t pay anyone to love this boy like you can.  Your children are your greatest ministry opportunity right now.”  In the stillness, God gave me insight and closed the door before I wasted time trying to walk through a door that most likely would have slammed into my face.

13 “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
    and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
    and her profit better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her. “ (Proverbs 3:13-15)

Heavenly Father, thank you for graciously offering us Your wisdom which is greater than all the world’s treasures.   Please forgive us when we have foolishly trusted in our own broken understanding instead of seeking You first.  Please lead us onto your paths of righteousness and help us to be faithful in teaching your truths to our children and to other disciples.

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