Ready and Waiting
Opening Prayer
Quiet your heart and ask God for the sensitivity to hear Wisdom’s voice, which is also the voice of Christ.
Read Proverbs 8:22-36
[22] “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; [23] I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. [24] When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; [25] before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, [26] before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. [27] I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, [28] when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, [29] when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. [30] Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, [31] rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. [32] “Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. [33] Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. [34] Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. [35] For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. [36] But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What was wisdom's role in creation?In today’s Scripture reading, Wisdom is personified as the first of God’s creation (22-31), one who accompanies him in all of the creation that will unfold. This poetic insight was taken by the New Testament writers and applied to Jesus, as if Wisdom is a prefiguring of the revelation that would be given hundreds of years later in Christ. The fact that the Hebrew Scriptures could write of such a figure as Lady Wisdom is an essential preparation for all that the New Testament and subsequent theology would say about Jesus Christ the Lord. As we hear Wisdom’s voice, we also hear that of Christ, through whom “all things were created” and “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 1:16; 2:3). The Father delights in him (cf. Matt. 3:17). Christ, in turn, affirms all that the Father does (cf. John 15:15). Through Christ, God embodies wisdom fully. He is Wisdom, and to obey him is to do what is wise. Listen to Wisdom’s instruction, and you will also hear the voice of Christ. When you find wisdom, you are close to finding the abundant life that is the gift of Christ alone (35).
Apply
Meditate on Scripture, worship with praise music, or do whatever else might help you hear from Christ today.
Closing prayer
Gracious God, help me to keep Your ways today, living according to Your wisdom.
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