Session 16

How to find wisdom

From Ecclesiastes: A 20-Day Devotional

Have you been pleasantly surprised by the wisdom you received from someone who didn’t appear to have much to offer? 

When we have a problem, it’s easy to seek solutions from people who seem to have it all together—attractive, wealthy, strong, successful. But, often the greatest wisdom comes from unlikely sources. 

When the powerful king surrounded the small city to take it over, it wasn’t a great army that defeated him, it was the wisdom of a poor wise man. Solomon concluded, “‘Wisdom is better than strength’” (Ecclesiastes 9:16). 

Our culture honors those who fit society’s definition of successful, but “the quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools” (Ecclesiastes 9:17). Just because someone is loud doesn’t mean they are right. James 3:17 reminds us, “...the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

All wisdom comes from God. 

The way to decide who we listen to is to compare their words to God’s Word. Wisdom from the Bible can always be trusted, because God is trustworthy. 

All wisdom comes from God. When we live by His Words, we will be like the wise man who was able to overcome his opponent during difficult circumstances.
 
Reflect:

• Who do you normally turn to for advice? Is that person wise? 
• What is one situation in your life right now that you need to seek Godly wisdom about?
• In addition to God, who is one person you can seek wisdom from about that situation?