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 9
Reflect:
Proverbs 9:1, 5
1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up its seven pillars.
5 “Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.”
In chapter 9, we have two invitations: one to dine with Wisdom, the other to dine with Folly. They’re practically the same invitation, but only one brings honor to God. In the end, only wisdom brings life. If we choose to dine with wisdom, we will be the ones who benefit. But if we scorn wisdom, we’ll be the ones to suffer. The choice is ours.
Malachi 3:10 is another verse that kept coming to mind as I thought through Proverbs 9 verses 1 and 5. It says: “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!'” (NLT) I know the verse is about tithing, but I think it has application when it comes to trusting in wisdom’s call. I can imagine Wisdom saying the same thing! “Go ahead, test me in this. See if I won’t pour out my wisdom upon you, so much so that the blessings of walking in wisdom will blow your mind!” God wants to bless us with His wisdom! Are you willing to trust in it?
Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! (NLT) Psalm 119:103 reminds us of how sweet God’s words taste—sweeter than honey. These verses are invitations as well! It’s like God is saying, “Try this; I know you’ll like it!” “As we invite the Holy Spirit to help us, study the Bible, and get to know other Christians, we begin to have the joy of tasting and experiencing God’s love.” (LASB) This love is found in the wisdom of God.
Jesus makes an invitation to us as well. He says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 CSB)
Respond:
Choose to dine with Wisdom; taste and enjoy the goodness of the Lord. If you’re carrying heavy burdens right now, take Jesus’ offer and find rest for your soul.
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:
Proverbs 12:11
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.