23 Nov God’s Word as My Way and Wisdom

Order Instructions

Week #6 Devotional

.

God’s Word as My Way and Wisdom

“I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways. . . .

Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.”

Psalm 119:15, 98-99

As the book of Job opens, the reader is introduced to a proverbial wise man, whose purity and piety brought such great prosperity that he was hailed as ‘greatest of all the people of the east’ (1:1-5). Shockingly, Job’s proverbial blessing gave way to profound suffering! As his wealth and health are stripped away, Job’s fall from extreme riches to extreme poverty only magnifies his tragedy (1:6-2:10). In this unimaginable suffering, Job is presented with a choice: Will he trust God and question his own wisdom, or will he trust his own wisdom and question God?

After three cycles of mind-numbing speeches back-and-forth between Job and his friends, the reader is led to the conclusion that human wisdom is futile. The answer to why Job is suffering remains hidden. Yet, in the depths of darkness shines a great light. In a hymn to wisdom, we read, ‘Where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place to understanding?’ Though it is hidden from man, ‘God understands the way to it, and He knows its place’ (28:20-23). For Job and for us, the true test comes when the events of life don’t make sense. Will we rely on our wisdom or trust the wisdom of God’s Word?

The testimony below is from Patrick, the campus pastor at my Christian high school, a modern example of relying on God’s wisdom:

“It was a year ago today that I had what I thought was the worst day of my life. . . The neurologist confirmed our fears that I indeed had ALS. There is no battle plan – you wait to lose every muscle and every freedom. I wish that I could say that I wouldn’t trade this year for anything; that I have learned to embrace and enjoy this suffering…. but I can’t. I wouldn’t wish this disease on anyone. Each week is more awful than the last.

So, a year later, I am ready. I know my time is down to weeks, not months. I have accepted that this is the path God placed me on. I would not have chosen it. I don’t like it. However, I am submitted that God in His sovereignty, decided to give me a shorter life on earth. And if it keeps His name going forward and promotes His Kingdom, then who am I to question it? Who am I but God’s servant placed here to bring Him glory? It’s not about me, it’s about Him.”

Father, as we try to understand Your work in our lives and in our world, we acknowledge our great need for Your wisdom. Help us run from the wisdom of man and rely on the wisdom found in Your Word! Our heart’s desire is that You would ground our hearts in Your wisdom and fix our eyes on Your ways! In the name of Jesus our Savior, we pray! Amen.

In what ways are you currently tempted to trust in your own wisdom and question God? From our study in this course, what have you learned that helps you let go of your own wisdom and trust the wisdom of God’s Word?