Day 73 – Searching For Wisdom
Proverbs 2:5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God.
Story: If we seek for wisdom like for lost treasure (v. 4), or like our missing phone, then we will discover the fear of the LORD and the truth about our God. To fear the LORD isn’t just handed to anyone. It comes not so much from work or effort, but desire and hunger. Wisdom and the fear of the LORD is His gift to give. The benefits are righteousness, justice, equity, and every good path (v. 9).
My Prayer Response: Father, give me a hunger for You, for Your wisdom, for fearing You. The more I go through this study, the more I want to have these day in and day out. I need these, not just to be productive or friendly, but also to enjoy the worship of and fellowship with You. Thank you for Your generosity, and that one day, I will be complete in Christ, not lacking for anything!
May you hunger to fear the LORD today!
Day 74 – Fear Does A Body Good?
Proverbs 3:7-8 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
Story: The temptation to turn to evil can be quite strong, even to the point of ‘I have to do this.’ But the fear of the LORD is stronger, and will break down every temptation. Instead of thinking we can handle this temptation on our own and be wise in our own eyes, we want to put on a humility that fears and needs the LORD. Only then can we experience an internal and full satisfaction. Growing up, an ad campaign said, ‘Milk: it does a body good.’ Proverbs 3:7-8 would say, ‘Fear the LORD: it does a body good.’
My Prayer Response: Father, fearing You is wise, healthy, beneficial. Thank you for these gifts that are so extensive and lasting. Whatever temptation I face today, remind me to put on humility and not pride; to put on the fear of You and so glorify You in how I respond.
May the LORD refresh you all the way to your bones today!
Day 75 – Your Sleep Will Be Sweet
Proverbs 3:24-26 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.
Story (by Rebecca Moni): After nearly 16 years of battling with anxiety, I’ve had more than my fair share of sleepless nights. Sadly, it even developed into a fear of simply going to bed. But this passage and its promise has more often than others been the comfort I leaned on when sleep constantly seemed out of reach. In recent years, it’s the truth of the preceding verses that have solidified the promise of peace for me.
It reads: “Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you.” God’s not simply promising easy nights and happy dreams for anyone, no matter what–like 13-year old me hoped He was. Rather, if we are choosing His will, living according to His wisdom and surrendering our confidence to His power, rather than our own, THEN we have nothing and no one to fear. And given that our anxieties have no place in His will, our minds and bodies, Lord willing, rest easy on this promise.
My Prayer Response: Lord, thank You for the gift that is sleep. No matter the depth of our anxieties, Your promise runs deeper. I pray we choose every day to stand (and rest) with You as our confidence.
May the LORD make your sleep sweet tonight!
Day 76 – The Beginning of Wisdom
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Story: If the fear of the LORD is so crucial and beneficial, why do I often struggle with doing this? Sometimes, to learn about who God is and how He works can seem less interesting than a sports game; or some gossip. But my eternity in Christ is going to be knowing my God and being known by Him. So the fear of the LORD is a call to be transformed, to have a different mindset about what is important, interesting. Life will not make much sense unless the LORD is first put in His proper place – ruling at the very center!
My Prayer Response: Father, You know me. You have known me, and You have chosen me in Christ to be Your child. So that I would know You. I need this today with so much feeling out of order. When it all seems confusing or impossible, bring me back to fearing You – and so having the needed wisdom for my next step.
May you seek to know the LORD today!
Day 77 – A Source of Confidence and Life
Proverbs 14:26-27 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.
Story: Strong confidence makes me think of a secure fortress in times of war or a storm. So much may be chaotic, even threatening. And yet, in the fear of the LORD is assurance, safety, refuge – for me and my kids! I’m also given direction and guidance. The snares of death are often hidden and camouflaged. But the truth of You brings out the truth in these deceptive traps. Instead of death, ongoing life springs within me as produced by the fear of the LORD.
My Prayer Response: Father, I so need to fear You daily. For myself. For my family. Continue to move this higher and higher in the priority level of my thinking, to the top of my to do list. And yet, it’s really a relationship of time with You. Quality time, and quantity of time. Help me to practice this with a day that already seems to have a full to do list. Because I so need to fear You today.
May you practice the fear of the LORD today!