Wisdom and Understanding

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

I'm Amy Boushey-Pye, and I called today's article Wisdom and Understanding. In 1373, when Julian of Norwich was 30 years old, she became ill and nearly died. When her minister prayed with her, she experienced a number of visions in which she considered Jesus's crucifixion. After miraculously recovering her health, she spent the next 20 years living in solitude in a side room of the church, praying over and thinking through the experience. She concluded that love was his meaning, that is, that Christ's sacrifice is the supreme manifestation of God's love. Julian's revelations are famous, but what people often overlook is the time and effort she spent prayerfully working out what God revealed to her.

In those two decades, she sought to discern what this experience of his presence meant as she asked him for his wisdom and help. As he did with Julian, God graciously reveals himself to his people, such as through the words of the Bible, through his still, small voice, through a refrain of a hymn, or even just an awareness of his presence. When this happens, we can seek his wisdom and help. This wisdom is what King Solomon instructed his son to pursue in Proverbs 2, saying he should turn his ear to wisdom and apply his heart to understanding. Then he would find the knowledge of God. God promises to give us discernment and understanding. As we grow in a deeper knowledge of his character and ways, we can honor and understand him more.

The passage from scripture for today's Our Daily Bread reading is from Proverbs 2, verses 1 through 11. My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding. Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He holds success in store for the upright. He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair, every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you. Let us pray together. Gracious God, thank you for revealing yourself to us in so many different ways. Help us to grow in wisdom that we might discern your work in our life. We thank you Lord and we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. Thank you for listening. Today's encouragement has been provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.