SWHW Bible Reading Plan - Year 2 January 2021Sample

January 27

Top Takeaway from Lauren Diggs:

Wisdom. Something I’m sure you and I could agree this world needs more of. But what does it look like in our daily life?

We just read four chapters full of what wisdom looks like vs. what foolishness looks like. If you’re anything like me, you probably cringed a little when reading it. It wasn’t fun to see myself in some of that foolishness. 

For instance, I have hated correction instead of becoming wiser from it (Proverbs 10:8-9). Instead of acting out of love from being offended, I’ve come from a place of hatred and caused even more strife (Proverbs 10:12). I have also talked too much, spoken too quickly, and put my foot in my mouth too many times (Proverbs 10:19).  

I have belittled, slandered, judged harshly, and put down those close to me, strangers on the street, and even myself (Proverbs 11:9;12-13). And I’ve tried to do it all myself, not wanting to ask for help, because that will appear weak and what will others think of me then? (Proverbs 11:14).

I can find myself on the opposite side of wisdom. How about you? Sometimes we lose sight of our priorities. Sometimes we mix things up a little and get it backwards. Sometimes we get ahead of God instead of putting Him ahead of everything.

And when we do, we got to get back to the basics. 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Wisdom begins with fear of the Lord—not in an I’m-terrified-and-hiding kind of way, but in a reverent, I-know-my-place kind of way. When we fear the Lord, we recognize that He is God, and we are not. We put Him in His rightful place in our hearts and in our everyday lives. 

It’s admitting that we don’t have all the answers and are in need of His knowledge and guidance. It’s realizing that maybe our fear of others' opinions has hindered our obedience to God. It’s seeing that pleasing people means more to us than pleasing the Lord. Moreover, it’s repenting when we fall short and allowing His grace to wash over us. 

Bottom line: fear of the Lord leads us to walk in wisdom. And walking in wisdom points people to Jesus—which is the entire purpose.

Fear of the Lord is not a warm and fuzzy feeling or goosebumps in the middle of your favorite worship song. It’s an everyday choice to live in complete surrender to Him, putting Him first above all else. So, let’s walk in the fear of the Lord and be led in His wisdom today. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your Word that reveals who You are and how I am to live a life that brings glory to Your name. I want to walk in the fear of the Lord and in Your wisdom. Show me areas of my life where I am doing things on my own outside of Your direction. Give me wisdom to walk rightly before You and others, that they might see You through me. I love You, Lord. Amen.