READ Proverbs 1
Solomon writes a metaphorical warning from the perspective of “Wisdom.”

INSIGHT
To be free to sail the seven seas, you must make yourself a slave to the compass. Every freedom has a corresponding slavery. We can be free from the toothbrush and a slave to cavities or a slave to the toothbrush and free from cavities. For everything we want, we must give up something else. Wisdom calls us to slavery. If we become a slave to wisdom, we must heed the Word of God and shun sin. If we neglect these, distress and anguish will come. We will experience the natural consequences of our actions. There is no escape from this cause-and-effect law. Rededicate yourself to becoming a “wise” person. Wisdom begins with “fearing” (respecting) the Lord. It is to His glory and also to our best interest.

PRAYER
Offer the Lord this psalm of praise as you ponder your need for wisdom:
Praise the Lord with the lyre;
Make music to him with a ten-stringed harp.  
Sing a new song to him;  
Play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.  
For the word of the Lord is right,
And all his work is trustworthy
(Psalm 33:2-4).

Now pray this confession to the Lord:
He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve
Or repaid us according to our iniquities.  
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is his faithful love toward those who fear him.  
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has he removed our transgressions from us
(Psalm 103:10-12).

Pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”  
Has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge  
Of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
Now we have this treasure in clay jars,
So that this extraordinary power  
May be from God and not from us (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).

The Lord encourages us to come to Him with our concerns and desires. As you
make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Health and strength to serve Him
• That His will be done on earth as it is in heaven
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, close with this prayer:
This is the day the Lord has made;
Let's rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).