Advent devotional: O Wisdom
This devotional was prepared by Pastor Aaron in connection with our sermon series on the O'Antiphons.
PRAY
O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other mightily,
and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.
READ
Psalm 90
1 Cor. 2:1-13
REFLECTIONS
I still remember feeling torn. I felt like God was calling me to a new job and a new city. But in many ways, it didn't make sense.
I had just been offered a job at a struggling parachurch ministry that was hoping to rebuild. I was looking for a new job, but not like this one. The salary was a pay cut. It was a dramatic switch from my journalism career. The culture of the organization was broken. And taking the job would mean leaving behind family and very close friends.
It wasn’t a wise financial move. It wasn’t a wise career move. It wasn’t a wise relational move. By my own standards, it just wasn’t wise. But I couldn't shake a sense of being drawn in.
So we did it. My wife and I moved away from my hometown and started over. The six years that followed brought some of the greatest challenges of our lives; there were times I wondered if we made the right decision. But the season also produced some of our greatest joys and shaped our family into who we are today. It ended up being one of the wisest decisions we have ever made.
Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” A reverent awe and respect for the Lord is the starting point for wise living.
The beginning of wisdom is turning away from earthly wisdom and fearing the Lord, understanding He is the source of all understanding. We turn away from self-help experts, financial gurus, enlightened spiritual guides and our own opinions. And we turn to our Almighty God.
As we consider the first Antiphon “O Wisdom”, we remember that to know wisdom is to not to know facts or information or wise sayings. It’s not even to know all the Bible has to say. To know wisdom is to know a person — the God revealed in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:24 says, Christ is the “wisdom of God”.
Do you desire wisdom? Look to Jesus. Do you need understanding? Look to Jesus. Not sure what the wise next step is? Look to Jesus.
But beware! The cross-shaped wisdom of Jesus looks like foolishness to the world. His wisdom might look like leaving behind money, a career and other things that are important to you. His wisdom might look like making sacrifices in love. But His wisdom will prove more valuable than anything this world has to offer (Proverbs 3:14-15).
RESPOND
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” -James 1:5
Spend some time seeking the wisdom of God. Maybe you need wisdom or guidance in a relationship, your career or your parenting. Take a few moments of silence expecting God to speak.
PRAY
O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other mightily,
and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.
READ
Psalm 90
1 Cor. 2:1-13
REFLECTIONS
I still remember feeling torn. I felt like God was calling me to a new job and a new city. But in many ways, it didn't make sense.
I had just been offered a job at a struggling parachurch ministry that was hoping to rebuild. I was looking for a new job, but not like this one. The salary was a pay cut. It was a dramatic switch from my journalism career. The culture of the organization was broken. And taking the job would mean leaving behind family and very close friends.
It wasn’t a wise financial move. It wasn’t a wise career move. It wasn’t a wise relational move. By my own standards, it just wasn’t wise. But I couldn't shake a sense of being drawn in.
So we did it. My wife and I moved away from my hometown and started over. The six years that followed brought some of the greatest challenges of our lives; there were times I wondered if we made the right decision. But the season also produced some of our greatest joys and shaped our family into who we are today. It ended up being one of the wisest decisions we have ever made.
Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” A reverent awe and respect for the Lord is the starting point for wise living.
The beginning of wisdom is turning away from earthly wisdom and fearing the Lord, understanding He is the source of all understanding. We turn away from self-help experts, financial gurus, enlightened spiritual guides and our own opinions. And we turn to our Almighty God.
As we consider the first Antiphon “O Wisdom”, we remember that to know wisdom is to not to know facts or information or wise sayings. It’s not even to know all the Bible has to say. To know wisdom is to know a person — the God revealed in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:24 says, Christ is the “wisdom of God”.
Do you desire wisdom? Look to Jesus. Do you need understanding? Look to Jesus. Not sure what the wise next step is? Look to Jesus.
But beware! The cross-shaped wisdom of Jesus looks like foolishness to the world. His wisdom might look like leaving behind money, a career and other things that are important to you. His wisdom might look like making sacrifices in love. But His wisdom will prove more valuable than anything this world has to offer (Proverbs 3:14-15).
RESPOND
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” -James 1:5
Spend some time seeking the wisdom of God. Maybe you need wisdom or guidance in a relationship, your career or your parenting. Take a few moments of silence expecting God to speak.
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