WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JULY 03, 2026
TOPIC: BE A WISE PERSON
BY T. O. BANSO
“Then Hiram king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon: because the Lord loves His people, He has made you king over them. Hiram also said: blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, for He has given King David a wise son, endowed with prudence and understanding, who will build a temple for the Lord and a royal house for himself!” (2 Chronicles 2:11-12 New King James Version).
It takes wisdom to build. To build a Temple for the LORD and a royal palace required nothing less than prudence and understanding. God’s candidate to build His Temple was David’s son, Solomon, an embodiment of wisdom and understanding. Hiram, king of Tyre, testified about this about him.
2 Chronicles 2:11-12 says, “Then Hiram king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon: because the Lord loves His people, He has made you king over them. Hiram also said: blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, for He has given King David a wise son, endowed with prudence and understanding, who will build a temple for the Lord and a royal house for himself!” (2 Chronicles 2:11-12 New King James Version).
According to Proverbs 24:3, a house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. “Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts” (Proverbs 24:3-4 Living Bible).
Foolish people destroy their lives, homes, or businesses with their own hands, but wise people build theirs. “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands” (Proverbs 14:1 New King James Version). Wise men and foolish men can do the same.
Solomon was a wise son. But his father, David, was also wise. The Bible records that David behaved wisely and even very wisely. “And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him” (1 Samuel 18:14-15 New King James Version). Also, verse 30 says that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul.
About Saul, 1 Samuel 13:13 says, “And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever’” (New King James Version). He eventually lost the throne.
However, in 2 Samuel 24:10, David, who had in the past behaved himself wisely, also told the LORD that he had done very foolishly. That was after he had counted Israel and Judah. Seventy thousand people died because of his foolish behaviour. Also, his adultery earlier with Bathsheba and the killing of her husband, Uriah, cannot be described as wise actions (2 Samuel 11). Be careful!
But David raised a wise son, Solomon. David testified about his wisdom before Solomon’s encounter with God, when, I believe, God gave him a higher dose of wisdom upon his request!
David told Solomon about Joab, his (David’s) ruthless commander, who killed two commanders of Israel’s army, “Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace” (1 Kings 2:6 New King James Version).
He also said Solomon was a wise man and knew what to do to Shimei, who had cursed and stoned David, but David didn’t kill him then. He must bring his grey hair to the grave with blood (1 Kings 2:8-9; 2 Samuel 16:5-8; 19:18-23). Sometimes, you don’t give all the details before a wise person understands you.
Nevertheless, as Solomon grew old, he didn’t behave wisely. His foreign wives turned his heart to other gods. He wasn’t completely faithful to the LORD. Be careful with the choices you make. Make sure they honour God. Be a wise person; avoid foolish choices and behaviour.
Be a wise person. Exercise self-control. Control your emotions; don’t let your emotions control you. Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back” (New King James Version). The New Living Translation renders it thus: “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” Similarly, Proverbs 12:16 says, “A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted” (New Living Translation). The New King James Version puts it this way: “A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.”
Be a wise person. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). It is also the beginning of knowledge. Don’t behave as fools who despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7). In Proverbs 21:11b, the Bible says a wise person learns from instruction. Don’t hate, reject, or despise instruction. “The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness” (Proverbs 15:14 New King James Version). In other words, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash” (New Living Translation). Pursue the truth; feed on it. Don’t feed on trash. Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding” (New King James Version).
Be a wise person. Wisdom is better than strength (Ecclesiastes 9:16a). It is better than weapons of war (verse 18a). Wisdom is also better than rubies; nothing can be compared with wisdom (Proverbs 8:11).
What must you do to be a wise person? Seek Jesus by giving your heart (Romans 10:9; Matthew 6:33; Jeremiah 29:13). Jesus is the embodiment of God’s wisdom and power (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30; Matthew 7:24). When you receive Him into your heart, you also receive wisdom. Next, study and meditate on the Word of God and obey it; you will become wise and wiser (Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:2-3, 119:11; James 1:22; Luke 11:28; John 14:15; Proverbs 9:9). Furthermore, fellowship with the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17; 16:13; Romans 8:26). He will reveal to you things you don’t know. Then, walk with the wise; avoid the company of fools (Proverbs 13:20). “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7 New King James Version). Be a wise person.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must give your heart to Jesus now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life—your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, I receive wisdom from You for my family and me. We will not behave foolishly, in Jesus’ name. We will not enter into any relationship that will cause us to behave foolishly. We will avoid the company of fools but walk with the wise so that we may become wise. I pray that those who are living independently of God and despise wisdom and instruction will repent, surrender their lives to Jesus, and pursue divine wisdom.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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