Dave's Diary

Prayer

As you begin your devotion, spend time honouring the Lord in prayer. Then ask Him to speak to you and give you guidance from His Word. Ask Him to show you how to live this day for His glory and His pleasure.

Reading

Read Proverbs 2 slowly and prayerfully. Notice which verse particularly jumps out at you. Re-read that verse a few times slowly. Write it down in your journal. Try to memorise it so that you can reflect on it without having to read from the page.

Prayerful Reflection

Now take that Proverb and think about your life at the moment. Is there a situation in your life to which that Proverb applies. Ask the Lord how this verse from His Word is telling you to live out His wisdom in that situation. Make notes in your journal.

Prayer

Now pray for the grace to live out the truth of that Proverb in the specific situation you thought about and in the day that lies ahead of you in general.

A Devotional Thought

Proverbs 2:⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
⁷ He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield to those whose way of life is blameless,
⁸ for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.

There are a number of magnificent promises from God packed into these few short verses. God promises to grant us His wisdom and understanding if we will seek them from Him. James would confirm this centuries later in James 1:5 (“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.”) Will you seek His wisdom in every situation today?

Furthermore, God promises that if we then strive to live in step with what He reveals to us, our wise living will bring us in under His protection. This makes perfect sense. Wisdom keeps us in step with God’s plan for our flourishing and abundance, and helps us avoid the paths that lead to destruction! Will you strive to keep in step with His wisdom when He reveals it to you today?

To unpack this latter promise even more, God promises to “shield … guard … and protect” us, if and when we commit ourselves to live:

• in integrity (i.e. in “uprightness”),
• with a deep commitment to His ways (i.e. “blamelessness”),
• treating others fairly (i.e. being “just”) and
• remaining constantly devoted to Him (i.e. be “faithful”).

Which one of these four life-principles do you need to focus on most today?

Lord, guide me in the life-giving paths of Your wisdom, give me grace to walk in those paths, and shield me from the destructive power of wickedness and sinfulness. Amen.