A Recipe for Wisdom – The Presidential Prayer Team

The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding. – Job 28:28

In the first nineteen verses of Job 28, Job describes how humanity goes to great effort seeking out precious metals of the earth, which begs the question, is not wisdom worth equal or greater effort? What is wisdom? Today’s verse says that the fear of the Lord is wisdom (that is a reverential worship, not the kind of fear that sends you running). In the grace of Jesus, believers come boldly before the Father, but with great respect (Hebrews 4:16). Another definition of wisdom is the good and right application of knowledge. Knowledge is an important ingredient of wisdom. God provides wisdom, which empowers knowledge.

Just as important as knowing what to do with knowledge is to know what not to do with it. The second part of today’s verse says that turning away from evil is understanding. Some people may have brilliant educations and bright minds but are totally ignorant of what God wants them to do with that knowledge. How important it is to have knowledge, wisdom, a reverence for God, and a desire to do His will!

In addition, James reveals another ingredient to the recipe of wisdom. Faith. If anyone lacks wisdom, he must ask but not doubt. The one who doubts receives nothing from the Lord (James 1:5-8). Seek out knowledge, especially Biblical knowledge, but don’t stop there. As you pray today, ask the Lord to work in your heart faith, wisdom, the desire to do His will, and reverential fear. Pray also for the citizens and leaders of the nation to learn to apply godly wisdom to all of their knowledge.

Today’s Verse: Job 28:28

And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
    and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Proverbs 8:1-11

Does not wisdom call?
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
²On the heights beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;
³beside the gates in front of the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
⁴“To you, O men, I call,
    and my cry is to the children of man.
⁵O simple ones, learn prudence;
    O fools, learn sense.
⁶Hear, for I will speak noble things,
    and from my lips will come what is right,
⁷for my mouth will utter truth;
    wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
⁸All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
⁹They are all straight to him who understands,
    and right to those who find knowledge.
¹⁰Take my instruction instead of silver,
    and knowledge rather than choice gold,
¹¹for wisdom is better than jewels,
    and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.