Reading

• Job 25:1-31:40

Devotional

Job recalled earlier times in his life where he enjoyed prosperity and blessings from GOD, and he compared it to his current situation of suffering and pain. In the middle of this conversation, Job shares some important truths regarding wisdom. It is these thoughts that will serve as today’s devotional topic. Wisdom is something that cannot be purchased or found in any place on the earth. Only GOD knows where wisdom dwells and He gives it to those who seek for it. Job said:

²⁰ Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? ²¹ It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky. ²² Destruction and Death say, “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.” ²³ God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, ²⁴ for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. ²⁵ When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, ²⁶ when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, ²⁷ then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it. ²⁸ And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
(Job 28:20-28 NIV)

GOD has said that wisdom is to fear Him and to shun (stay away from) evil. To fear GOD means that I recognize:

1. That He is all-powerful, holy, my Creator and Judge.
2. My place before Him as small, weak, insignificant (compared to Him), and needy.
3. I need to approach Him humbly and with reverence and respect.
4. I must be careful to obey His instructions and live a holy life, to the best of my ability.

If I want to be a wise person, this is where I must begin.