LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
 
Sunday 7th June 2026

THE CRY OF WISDOM

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8
 
_“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. *Proverbs 8:32–34*_
 
Biblical wisdom is not hidden in a secret place. God has made wisdom available to all who desire her. In addition, wisdom pleads for our attention. This is what wisdom says to us.
 
· Listen to me.

 Be open to wisdom. Wisdom wants us always to keep our ears, eyes and hearts open to her instructions. To find wisdom, we must be observant and pay attention to what happens around us. When wisdom speaks, we must listen.
 
Keep my ways.

Continue the path of wisdom. Wisdom wants us to keep walking with her. When we leave the path of wisdom, we can find ourselves walking in the path of fools. Solomon was a classic example of one who started with wisdom but did not keep the ways of wisdom. Walking in wisdom is a lifetime pursuit. It is something we must do every day of our lives
 
· Watch daily at my gates.

 Be on the alert for wisdom. I like how the phrase is put – watch daily at my gates. It paints the picture of a hungry person who stands at the gates of a food distribution centre, waiting for the next supply of food. Some people know the right time to visit a neighbour for food but do not have the same attitude towards wisdom.
 
We grow in wisdom when we ask questions. Though Jesus spent His adult life teaching, the scriptures reveal that he keenly asked questions in the Temple at the age of twelve. The Lord knew all things. However, He shows us by example that before we start making our views known, we must understand the opinions of others. In His adult ministry, the Lord taught by responding to questions.
 
· Don’t disdain me.

 Don’t get tired of wisdom. Don’t let money or fame diminish the value of wisdom. Many of us consider wealth and fame as more desirable than wisdom. But what is the value of money in the hands of a person who lacks discretion? Without wisdom, our achievements are paraded as a mockery to the world.
 
Wisdom pleads with us not to belittle her.
 
Prayer:

Heavenly Father, teach my heart to know your ways and my ears to discern to the voice of wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.