Lord, Give Me Wisdom for What I'm Facing

This might sound obvious to you, but one of the things I've discovered writing these devotionals every morning is what an extraordinary source of wisdom the Bible is for the real situations we face today.

If you're in a season of waiting, longing for something that isn't coming, year after year, Hannah has been there and has wisdom for you.

If you're starting over after a loss, stepping into unfamiliar territory with no map and no guarantee of how it ends, Ruth has been there.

If you're watching someone you love walk toward destruction and there's nothing you can do to stop them, the father of the prodigal son has wisdom for that too.

There's very little in modern life that doesn't have a biblical parallel.

But reflecting on how I've dealt with upcoming hard situations in the past, I've noticed my first instinct isn't to go to God. It's to call a friend. To text someone I trust. To ask whoever's closest to me what they think I should do.

Friends and family are a gift, and there's nothing wrong with seeking wise counsel. But somewhere along the way, I started treating God as the last resort rather than the first call.

James cuts straight to it in chapter 1, verse 5: "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him."

Whatever you're facing today, only you know what that is; there's wisdom available to you right now if you ask for it. Not a vague feeling or a general sense of peace, but actual insight into your actual situation from the God who sees all of it clearly.

The God who knew Hannah's longing, who guided Ruth's steps, who sat with Job in his grief, sees your situation too.

Make Him the first call, not the last.