WISDOM IN A FOOLISH WORLD
Opening Prayer
On this Sunday, Lord Jesus, I come to you with my uncertainty and fears. Give me wisdom for the way ahead; give me courage to follow wherever you lead me and to know the joy of your salvation.
Read PSALM 111
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
1 Praise the Lord.[b]
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
Footnotes
- Psalm 111:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the lines of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
- Psalm 111:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Where do you seek wisdom?Jesus asked, ‘Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?’ (Luke 6:39). Whether it’s family, social media, political commentators, or visionaries, we are bombarded with people who want to tell us how we should think about things and how we should respond to various situations. We live in a world full of blind guides and we need wisdom.
In this psalm the writer is singing with great joy about how he loves the works and precepts of the Lord (v. 7), and about how wisdom begins when we have a right view of God. He is gracious and compassionate (v. 4), righteous (v. 3), faithful and just (v. 7), and holy and awesome (v. 9).
When we see God’s laws not as arbitrary, but as given by a holy and good God, who loves us and leads us into life and flourishing, then we take delight in knowing his law—and knowing him. As we do so, we stand at the beginning of wisdom, and the scales fall from our eyes. We are no longer blind, but able to see clearly—we can also lead others with us into the wisdom that is ultimately found in Jesus (Proverbs 8:22–32).
Apply
What truth about Jesus can you share with someone today?
Closing prayer
As I read your Word, Father, I am so thankful that you speak to me through it, teaching me about who you are, showing me how to live for you, and giving me everything I need to share lead others to Jesus.
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