DAY 28
Finding Wisdom
[5 minutes]
Mindsetter Moment: “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I will be praising again. He puts a smile on my face, he is my God.” Proverbs 42:11 (MSG)
Take a moment to intentionally center your thoughts on God. Let every worry and distraction fade to the background. Right now you have committed to giving 30 minutes to Jesus. You might not have all the answers to all your questions, but you can do the next right thing by spending this time with God.
[15 minutes]
Scripture reading:
Job 28:1-30:31
2 Corinthians 2:12-17
Psalm 42:1-11
Proverbs 22:7
Devotional thought
There is a type of literary technique called a chiasm, commonly seen in Hebrew writings. This is a type of motif in which ideas are presented in sequential order and then reversed. Each side of the chiasm points to a central idea in the center.
Some scholars believe that the entire book of Job is written as a chiasm. If that is true, our reading today in chapter 28 would be the center, meaning it would contain the main point of the story; the “big idea.” At the beginning of this chapter, we find a beautiful poem about mining. Our desire for wealth is used as an allegory for man’s search for wisdom. Although we can drill into the earth for gold and find the most desired treasure in nature, we cannot find wisdom on a beach, on a mountain top, or in the depths of the earth.
In the midst of Job’s deepest pain and greatest trial when God is silent, Job looks for wisdom. Why? Because when we lose everything, we find out what was most important. Job says this wisdom that cannot be found in nature or people, is worth more than all the gold or precious stones he ever had.
What applies to me?
“The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding”
Job 28:28b. The author of Job wanted to make an important point with this story. If you are at your wit's end and looking for answers, wisdom is the place to start, and wisdom is found only through seeking God.
There is no end to the ideas of so-called experts in this world. We live in the information age. We can literally type any question into a computer and find hundreds or even thousands of possible answers on any subject. Yet, in the midst of all this thinking, opinion sharing, and logical reasoning, it can sometimes seem as though we are actually sailing farther from the truth.
Being able to reasonably ask questions and think with our own minds is not where wisdom can be found. The ability to understand the world around us is not where the foundation of wisdom is hiding. The Hebrew word for fear used in this passage means “reverence” or “respect.” Our search for wisdom begins in our relationship with God. If you find yourself stumped by life’s big questions or lost in a sea of problems, look to the author of wisdom for answers.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
[10 minutes]
Write it out: What do you need wisdom for today? Write your questions in your journal.
Pray it out: Try God before Google. Maybe not for the local pizza place, but for the big stuff. Are you dealing with a tricky situation? Hurting? Confused? Take your questions to God during this time of prayer and then wait on Him for the answers.
Live it out: Don’t wait until you are in over your head; go to God as your first resort.
[5 minutes]
Mindsetter Moment: “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I will be praising again. He puts a smile on my face, he is my God.” Proverbs 42:11 (MSG)
Take a moment to intentionally center your thoughts on God. Let every worry and distraction fade to the background. Right now you have committed to giving 30 minutes to Jesus. You might not have all the answers to all your questions, but you can do the next right thing by spending this time with God.
[15 minutes]
Scripture reading:
Job 28:1-30:31
2 Corinthians 2:12-17
Psalm 42:1-11
Proverbs 22:7
Devotional thought
There is a type of literary technique called a chiasm, commonly seen in Hebrew writings. This is a type of motif in which ideas are presented in sequential order and then reversed. Each side of the chiasm points to a central idea in the center.
Some scholars believe that the entire book of Job is written as a chiasm. If that is true, our reading today in chapter 28 would be the center, meaning it would contain the main point of the story; the “big idea.” At the beginning of this chapter, we find a beautiful poem about mining. Our desire for wealth is used as an allegory for man’s search for wisdom. Although we can drill into the earth for gold and find the most desired treasure in nature, we cannot find wisdom on a beach, on a mountain top, or in the depths of the earth.
In the midst of Job’s deepest pain and greatest trial when God is silent, Job looks for wisdom. Why? Because when we lose everything, we find out what was most important. Job says this wisdom that cannot be found in nature or people, is worth more than all the gold or precious stones he ever had.
What applies to me?
“The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding”
Job 28:28b. The author of Job wanted to make an important point with this story. If you are at your wit's end and looking for answers, wisdom is the place to start, and wisdom is found only through seeking God.
There is no end to the ideas of so-called experts in this world. We live in the information age. We can literally type any question into a computer and find hundreds or even thousands of possible answers on any subject. Yet, in the midst of all this thinking, opinion sharing, and logical reasoning, it can sometimes seem as though we are actually sailing farther from the truth.
Being able to reasonably ask questions and think with our own minds is not where wisdom can be found. The ability to understand the world around us is not where the foundation of wisdom is hiding. The Hebrew word for fear used in this passage means “reverence” or “respect.” Our search for wisdom begins in our relationship with God. If you find yourself stumped by life’s big questions or lost in a sea of problems, look to the author of wisdom for answers.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
[10 minutes]
Write it out: What do you need wisdom for today? Write your questions in your journal.
Pray it out: Try God before Google. Maybe not for the local pizza place, but for the big stuff. Are you dealing with a tricky situation? Hurting? Confused? Take your questions to God during this time of prayer and then wait on Him for the answers.
Live it out: Don’t wait until you are in over your head; go to God as your first resort.