Day 1 Proverbs 1:1-7
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)
We all start somewhere.
Athletes start with practice and preparation.
Artists start with inspiration and a blank canvas.
Gardeners start by prepping the soil and gathering seed.
As Christians we start by confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. And then we begin the lifelong journey of sanctification which begins with a fear of the Lord. This fear leads us to wisdom, insight, and understanding.
Sometimes life causes us to pause or stumble along the way and it feels like we need to begin all over again. No matter where you are in your journey, there is always something you can begin that will help you spiritually form into His likeness. Whether for the first time or for the billionth time, God prompts us to begin.
A great starting place is practicing a spiritual discipline that might be new for you. For some, this might be keeping a journal for prayers or gratitude. For some it might mean sitting in silence for 5 minutes. For others, it might mean fasting by skipping a meal.
What is something you can begin today?
Lord, as we move throughout our day, may we remember where we once began. We come before you, asking out of reverent awe of your Name, to guide us and form us into your likeness. Grant us wisdom and insight on this journey. Amen.
Things to Ponder:
Where are you in your spiritual formation journey? Are you at the starting line, or are you like the wise, seeking to add to your learning?
What do you hope to gain in this journey?
Day 2 Proverbs 2:3
Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding (NLT)
Indeed, if you call out for discernment–shout loudly for understanding (NET)
Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding (ESV)
Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, (NIV)
An entitled spirit expects to receive what it needs without expending too much effort or energy. Some believers attend church only to sit and listen. They expect that they will gain understanding of His will for their life. Yet, Proverbs makes it clear that believers must do more than simply show up and sit in a pew.
In the midst of these instructions from a father to a son on how to grow in wisdom, one is reminded of the need to call out and shout for insight. “Effort must be expended for one to become wise.” (1) One must do more than simply show up, sit and listen.
Cry aloud! Shout loudly to the Father! And He will grant you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Whatever you face today, remember to seek the Lord for guidance and understanding. Cry out to Him, and in His own way He will answer. Be brave today. Find a place where you can shout loudly to the Lord. Let Him know what you seek and what you need. Then quietly wait for His response.
Lord, as we move throughout our day, may we remember the source of all wisdom. We come before you, crying out in reverent awe of your Name. Guide us and form us into your likeness. Grant us wisdom and insight on this journey. Amen.
Things to Ponder:
When was the last time you cried out to God and shouted loudly for understanding?
What situation or circumstance in life do you need His wisdom and discernment?
1 Buzzell, Sid S. “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, ed. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983), Logos Bible Software.
Day 3 Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Applaud him, all you foreigners
For his loyal love towers over us,
and the Lord’s faithfulness endures.
Praise the Lord. (NET)
One of the most underrated spiritual disciplines might be that of celebration. When a favorite sports team wins, people celebrate. When a child reaches a milestone, parents praise them. When a groom kisses his bride, guests celebrate and praise the new marriage. In the same spirit, the psalmist wants all of God’s people, both the Jew and the Gentile, to praise the Lord.
Why does the psalmist want God’s people to praise Him? First, because God’s hesed for them is great and powerful, towering over them. Hesed is a hard word to translate into English. It is a loyal love, a loving kindness, an unfailing love. It is a love full of commitment like no other. The other reason the psalmist calls for praise is the Lord’s never ending faithfulness. No matter what comes, no matter how disobedient His people might even be, God remains faithful. Always.
As you begin your day, how much praise will you give to the Lord simply because He loves you? If you are reflecting on your day, have you recognized His faithfulness? Even if it doesn’t feel like it, He is with you today. His love for you is steady and unchanging. Take a moment and join the psalmist in praising the Lord!
Lord, we praise you! As we move throughout our day, may we remember your love and faithfulness. We come before you, praising your Holy Name. Guide us and form us into your likeness. Grant us wisdom and insight on this journey. Amen.
Things to Ponder:
Can you make a list of 10 things the Lord has done in your life that you can celebrate?
While it might be easy to praise God when things go your way, what prevents you from praising Him simply for loving you? How might you change this?
Day 4 Proverbs 3:27-28
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it’s in your power to help them.
If you can help your neighbor now,
don't say, 'Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.'
Some people struggle asking for help, while others have no problem crying out when in need. But how often does one walk past another image bearer and truly see their needs? A physical need might be easily recognizable, but what about emotional or mental needs? How often does one keep an eye out for how to help their neighbor and actually follow through by providing help that day?
Excuses are easy to make. But as Christ followers, excuses should not prevail over the call to help those whom we can help. It’s easy to think you don’t have the financial means to assist someone, but maybe God simply wants you to provide companionship. It’s easy to think that someone else will step up, but maybe today you are the only one who can help.
The ways we can help a neighbor are endless. It might involve loading groceries into a car or carrying a box inside a house. It might mean offering a free meal and childcare to a single parent, or helping pay that bill before the water gets shut off. It could mean praying with that coworker who is at her wits end. When we truly pause and notice the people around us, God will reveal who we can help and how. We do not need to seek out extravagant ways to help, but simply pay attention to what God has enabled us to do.
Lord, as we move throughout our day, may we remember to pay attention to those around us and see their needs. We come before you, submitting to your Holy Name. Guide us and form us into your likeness. Grant us wisdom and insight on this journey. Amen.
Things to Ponder:
When was the last time someone unexpectedly helped you? How did it make you feel?
What is a simple need a neighbor has that you are equipped to meet? How will meeting that need help them know that God sees and loves them?
Day 5 Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
In this day and age the news is constantly full of natural disasters happening all over the world. Famines, earthquakes, fires, volcanic eruptions, tornados, avalanches, tsunamis, floods. The list is endless. Seeing the images of homes destroyed, lives lost is overwhelming. Studies have shown that constant exposure to these calamities leads to depression, chronic stress, and a psychological burden that leaves one feeling helpless.
Yet even when creation falls apart, God’s people know they can trust in God. Yes, the news can overwhelm us when we hear too much of it. But when we turn our minds and hearts back to God’s promises in His Word, we are reminded that we will be okay. As the psalmist encourages us to do, we take refuge in His presence and turn our worries and fears over to Him. We will still face troubles, and natural disasters might even hit close to home. But when they do, we need not panic nor give in to irrational fear. God is strong and He will carry us through whatever this world sends our way.
Lord, as we move throughout our day, may we remember that no matter what may come, You alone are our refuge. We come before you, trusting your Holy Name. Guide us and form us into your likeness. Grant us wisdom and insight on this journey. Amen.
Things to Ponder:
What was the last natural disaster you recall seeing on the news? How did it make you feel? How did you handle those feelings?
When was the last time God brought you through a calamity, even one as simply as having a bad day?