LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Tuesday 13th May 2025
SEEK WISDOM
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8
She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors: Proverbs 8:2-3
All of us wonder where to find wisdom. How can a person who desires to be wise have access to it? Our passage for today tells us where to locate wisdom. Interestingly, wisdom is presented as a female – to show that we must pursue her as a man seeks a woman. The passage sets out five places where we can encounter wisdom.
On top of the hill – Wisdom is seen by all.
Wisdom stands in a high and lofty place, fully exposed to all who seek her. It is exalted on top of the hill so that anyone approaching can see it. Wisdom is not in the valley – it is not in a secret place. It is not hidden in a remote part of the earth, requiring an adventure into a deep, dark, mystical place. This is how biblical wisdom differs from the wisdom of the occult. In the occult, wisdom is always hidden. In the Bible, wisdom is revealed.
Beside the way – Wisdom is commonplace.
God’s wisdom is not for a select elite who get initiated into mysterious orders or fellowships. Wisdom is ‘by the wayside’. Jesus taught the most profound ideas using commonplace activities like farming, building a house or a marriage. God instructs us to learn wisdom from the ant and by observing everyday occurrences. You don’t need to learn the most powerful words or recite mysterious incantations to access Biblical wisdom; neither do you need to travel a long distance to find it.
Where the paths meet – Wisdom is accessible.
If you’ve lived in a small town or village, you can relate to this. The place where the paths meet is ‘the junction’. Every city has a junction. Even schools have a junction. It is the place where all paths lead to; it is the place where people meet. Wisdom is found at the place where we all gather. We can find it in our living rooms, classrooms, dorms, restaurants, and playgrounds.
By the gates – Wisdom is inescapable.
If you missed wisdom on the hill because you were looking down and missed her, or by the way, because you were not looking, you will find her at the gate. If you missed her again in the place where the paths meet, you would find her at the entrance just before entering your house.
At the door – Wisdom is in your face.
And if you miss her at the gate, you will find her at the door to your room. In all these places, wisdom does not sit quietly. Wisdom ‘cries out’ and ‘lifts up its voice’! Wisdom is screaming on top of her voice. She’s right where you are. Pay attention to her.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to identify all the signposts of wisdom you place in my way. In Jesus’ name, *Amen.
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