A Word for the Year
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! PROVERBS 16:16
A common tradition nowadays is to declare a “word” for the new year. Beginning January 1, people choose a “word to live by” that projects their goals and aspirations and sets the tone for the next 365 days. Jokingly, I thought of choosing a word like “nacho” because the devil is “nacho” friend, or “Anita” because I’m a sinner and “Anita” Savior. (Okay, that’s enough dad jokes for today. Goodness gracious.)
However, one year later, I decided to choose a real word with real intentionality of what I wanted my life to look like. After taking a deep dive into the book of Proverbs and reading about Solomon in the book of I Kings, I picked the word wisdom.
Solomon, King David’s son who eventually became king himself, asked God for only one thing. He didn’t ask for a long life, riches, or vengeance against those who had done him wrong. He simply asked for wisdom, mainly to help him properly handle his new role as an inexperienced king. God granted him this request, and Solomon’s supernatural wisdom produced perfect discernment in the decisions he made during his reign. As a result, he was the most successful, trustworthy, wealthy, beloved, and superior king in the history of Israel.
Like Solomon, we are inexperienced people. Some are new to a job, marriage, parenting, or even being a Christian. Having wisdom in every untraveled road of life prevents us from making unnecessary mistakes and allows God to take control of our decision-making. With wisdom, we will choose words and actions that lead to favor. With wisdom, we will know how to navigate sticky situations. With wisdom, we will make decisions that lead to victory over the enemy. Stability in our physical, emotional, mental, relational, and even financial lives comes when wisdom is the principal thing.
What areas of your life need more of God’s wisdom? Is there something you’re dealing with that you’ve never walked through before? Are there circumstances that remain unchanged no matter how hard you try? If so, pray for wisdom. Read through Proverbs and I Kings. When you ask God for it, you will receive it!
God, I want wisdom in every area of my life. Help me strive for this above all things. Amen.
This is an excerpt from Goodness Gracious: 90 Unfiltered Devotions for This Sometimes-Too-Serious Life by Hannah Crews – a devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.
