In what ways can we apply Job 28:20 to our decision-making process? Tracing the Question of Job 28:20 “From where then does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?” (Job 28:20) Why This Question Matters for Choices We Face • Every decision—big or small—tests whether we seek wisdom’s true source or rely on self. • Job’s question exposes the limits of human insight and pushes us to look beyond ourselves. Scripture’s Answer: God Alone Grants Wisdom • Job 28:23 – “God understands its way, and He knows its place.” • Proverbs 2:6 – “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” • James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God… and it will be given to him.” Applying Job 28:20 When Decisions Loom 1. Acknowledge Limits – Admit, like Job, “I don’t have it all figured out.” – Refuse the illusion that more data or experience automatically equals wisdom (Isaiah 55:8-9). 2. Seek the Fear of the LORD First – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). – Evaluate options by asking, “Does this choice honor God’s character and commands?” 3. Ask God Directly – Prayerfully request clarity (James 1:5). – Expect Him to respond through Scripture, godly counsel, and the prompting of the Spirit. 4. Saturate the Mind with Scripture – Wisdom’s voice is heard in God’s Word (Psalm 19:7-8). – Let passages like Proverbs 3:5-6 guide priorities and pathways. 5. Weigh Motives in Light of Christ – In Jesus “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom” (Colossians 2:3). – Hold up each motive to His example of humility, truth, and love. 6. Test Counsel Against the Word – Welcome advice (Proverbs 15:22) yet filter it through biblical principles. – Reject guidance that contradicts clear commands. 7. Move Forward in Faith, Not Presumption – After seeking wisdom, act with confidence in God’s sovereignty (Proverbs 16:9). – Trust Him for outcomes while remaining teachable for course corrections. Everyday Practice Points • Begin each morning with a brief reading from Proverbs; note any verse that speaks to current decisions. • Keep a “wisdom journal” tracking how God answers when you ask. • Before major choices, pause to read Job 28 aloud; let its climax (vv. 23-28) re-center your heart. • Memorize Proverbs 3:5-6; recite it whenever uncertainty rises. Living Out the Answer Job 28:20 reminds us that wisdom is never self-generated but God-revealed. When our decision-making springs from humble dependence on Him—rooted in Scripture, confirmed by prayer, and centered on Christ—we walk the path where true understanding dwells. |
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