I. Prayer to enter the Lord’s presence:
Be still for a moment. “Lord, I give the day that is now past to you. It is yours. I give the day that is to come to you; help me to see where you are working and to join you there. Speak to me during these moments. I commit them and myself to you.”
II. Prayer of Confession:
“Lord, you are faithful to forgive me and cleanse me of my sin when I confess it to you. I confess my sin(s) of ______________. Thank you for forgiveness.” (1 John 1:9)
III. Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Choose to be thankful, speak out loud of what God has done.
“Thank you, Father, for _________________. Fill my heart and my mouth with gratitude throughout this day.”
IV. Scripture Reflection
Read: Proverbs Chapter 4
Reflect:
Proverbs 4:9
9 She [wisdom] will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”
As I write, I’m 55 years old, my three kids are all grown, two are married, and Patty and I have eight grandkids! Reflecting on Proverb 4, I can’t help but feel the passion of the young man’s father and mother. They both love their son and desperately want him to embrace wisdom. We find their plea in verses 1-8. We don’t know how the son responds, but the father’s message is loud and clear: Son, pay attention!
I’ve felt this same passion for my children. While raising them, I desperately wanted them to listen to me. So many different voices were speaking to them at the time. Sometimes I felt as if I was talking to a wall. I remember telling them, “Listen to me! I know you don’t like what I’m saying, but know this: there is no one more on your side than Mom and me! We don’t want you to make the same mistakes we made. Listen to me!” Honestly, sometimes, I felt exasperated. Parenting is hard!
Yet, by the grace and mercy of the Lord, my children are walking with Jesus. They didn’t abandon wisdom, but instead decided to guard it, not to turn away from it. They were determined to get wisdom, no matter the cost! The result: Wisdom bestows a moral beauty on her children.1 God’s grace and favor are visible in their lives. Nothing can compare with the beauty of wisdom.
Obtaining wisdom is well worth all the effort and cost involved in gaining it. The opposite is also true: a foolish, unwise life is dishonorable, unattractive, and shameful.2 You see, we have a choice to make. Are we going to heed wisdom’s call; are we going to pursue understanding?
Clearly, there is one way that brings life, the way of wisdom. Make it your goal today to walk in her ways and let God’s grace and favor shine brightly to all who see you as you wear the crown of beauty.
Respond:
Where are you at today? What kind of life are you pursuing?
A life of wisdom begins with a repentant heart and a commitment to Jesus. If you need to stop going down the wrong path, then make the decision to do so right now. Stop. Repent. Walk in wisdom’s way.
V. Prayer for others:
Pray specifically for the concerns of your life and the lives of others.
VI. Prayer of commitment:
“Lord God, I commit to love you with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength and with all my mind and to love my neighbor as myself. Empower me today to love you and others with everything that I am.” (Luke 10:27)
This Week’s Scripture Memory:
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.