Going to God for Wisdom
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez
When we have a question, we can take the question to God and expect Him to answer it.
“Is this the right job for me?”
“Should I move to this city?”
“What do You think about my dating this person?”
“Do You think this person and I would be good together?”
Questions and answers. That’s a key piece of how life with God works. He is a kind and tender Father, who loves us and wants to interact with us all the time. He loves our presence. He loves it when we look to Him for wisdom and want to spend time with Him.
If you have questions, here are a few ways He might answer those questions and give you the wisdom you need.
1. Wisdom comes from listening to God. His voice is wisdom.
Listen to me and you will be prudent and wise.
For even the foolish and feeble can receive an understanding heart
that will change their inner being. (Prov. 8:5 TPT)
For everything I say is unquestionably true,
and I refuse to endure the lies of lawlessness—
my words will never lead you astray. (v. 7 TPT)
What do these verses mean? How do they apply to you? Here are a few ideas:
Listen to God. Life is found in simple listening.
Listening to God’s wise voice brings prudence and wisdom.
You don’t have to be a powerful, intelligent person to listen to Him. You can be a simpleton, a jerk, somebody who doesn’t have a clue what they’re doing—but you can still listen to Him and gain wisdom.
He will speak to the one who listens, no matter their reputation or how many times they’ve failed in the past.
Pray about these things, and write down whatever the Holy Spirit whispers to your heart. What is He saying about dating, your job, your nation, or whatever else you’re asking Him about?
2. Wisdom comes from God’s Word.
So faith comes from hearing the message, and the message that is heard is what Christ spoke. (Rom. 10:17 NOG)
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4 NIV)
Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found. (Ps. 119:35 NLT)
What do these verses mean? How do they apply to you? Here are a few ideas:
God is wisdom. When He speaks, His voice is wisdom’s voice. To know what you need to do, when to do it, the best possible route for your heart to take—listen to His voice.
God’s Word is life for your heart, not just in certain things but in all things. Whatever question you are asking Him right now, His Word is life for you.
God’s Word is pleasing, and it will bring you happiness.
Doing what God says produces life and cleans out of your heart anything that isn’t life.
Joy is waiting for you in the paths of His voice.
Pray about these things, and write down whatever the Holy Spirit says to your heart. What is He saying about your dreams and waiting? What is He saying about His heart for you and who you are as a person?
3. Wisdom comes from asking people you respect to give you advice. You’re part of the body of Christ, and the body helps one another.
You are the body of the Anointed One, and each of you is a unique and vital part of it. (1 Cor. 12:27 TPT)
But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Cor. 12:24–26 NIV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor. 10:13 RSV)
What do these verses mean? How do they apply to you? Here are a few ideas:
If you’re struggling with where you are in life, don’t allow the enemy to tell you that you’re struggling alone and others don’t understand. Somebody out there knows exactly what you’re going through, because they’ve been there.
You are part of the body of Christ, and when one part is suffering, all of the body suffers along with it. Your brothers and sisters in Jesus care about what you’re going through.
Take courage, knowing you are not alone. You might feel alone, but you are not alone.
Out of your friends and mentors, who can help you endure this time in your life with greater peace? Has God put someone in your life who knows about waiting and trusting Him, and they can give you advice?
Pray about these things, and write down whatever the Holy Spirit shows you. What is He saying about walking in His peace? What is He saying about your heart and how important it is to Him?
4. Wisdom comes through trial and error. The more you practice something, the better you’ll get at it.
For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. (Heb. 5:13–14 NLT)
Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. (1 Pet. 2:2–3 NLT)
What do these verses mean? How do they apply to you? Here are a few ideas:
God doesn’t expect you to never make mistakes. He knows what children are like and how they grow up slowly, making mistakes and figuring things out along the way.
You will learn more about God and His ways as you experience life.
“We still make mistakes sometimes, but we’re learning and He’s thrilled that we’re learning. As we realize how happy He is just with the learning—that’s a shame breaker. Shame loses its foothold in our life and the spirit of religion snaps off of us as we realize the Lord is pleased right now, as we’re learning.” (Bill and Sue Frisbie)
One way you grow up in God and become more mature in Him is by failing, realizing you got it wrong, listening to God, and doing it His way instead.
Pray about these things, and write down whatever the Holy Spirit puts on your heart. What is He saying about your past—the things you might feel ashamed of? What is He saying about your future and the good things He has for you because He loves you?
Don’t be afraid to put all your trust in Him.
Does your heart need to remember who God is? Check out these other devotions:
For more information on sex, marriage, and finding the person who is right for you, get a copy of Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. Click here to learn more. The book is also available in Spanish.