WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JULY 04, 2026
TOPIC: WISE PEOPLE PURSUE WISDOM
BY T. O. BANSO
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7 New King James Version).
At Gibeon, King Solomon demonstrated his wisdom by asking the LORD for an understanding heart (wisdom), not anything else. He understood the importance of wisdom and the difference it could make in someone’s life, especially in a leader.
Solomon said, “Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings 3:7-9 New King James Version).
God granted his request. He gave him a wise and understanding heart. He also gave him other things he had not asked for, both riches and honour, so that there would not be anyone like him among the kings all his days (verses 12-13).
A fool has no appreciation of wisdom. According to Proverbs 18:2, “A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart” (New King James Version). Wise people appreciate the importance of wisdom and value wisdom wherever they see it. They will pay the price to get wisdom.
As said in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (New King James Version). The New Living Translation puts it this way: “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” Wisdom is extremely important. Wise people do all that the Bible says to get it, but fools despise wisdom. They pursue it because they lack an understanding of its importance. “Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say” (Proverbs 24:7 New Living Translation). It takes wisdom to appreciate wisdom! Fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7b, 23:9b). Solomon pursued wisdom and became so famous for his wisdom that kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to his wisdom (1 Kings 4:34). He ruled the kingdom with exceptional wisdom before the foreign women he married turned away his heart from the LORD.
When the Queen of Sheba heard about Solomon’s wisdom, she came to confirm the report she had received, and she was highly impressed. “Then she said to the king: ‘It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard. Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the Lord your God! Because your God has loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness’” (2 Chronicles 9:5-8 New King James Version).
What the Queen of Sheba saw was more than what she had been told, and she gave Solomon gifts. Solomon also gave her gifts. She recognised wisdom and pursued it! Wise people pursue wisdom. Because of that, they increase in wisdom.
Pursue wisdom. The Bible states that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10a). Job 28:28b says that the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. Wise people fear the Lord. Fools disobey Him, ignore Him, or deny His existence. Psalms 14:1a & 53:1a say the fool says in his heart there is no God. Don’t be a fool.
Pursue wisdom. The Bible says if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5). Do you value wisdom and want it? Ask God for it. Pursue it.
You will receive wisdom from heaven if you study the Bible, meditate on it, and obey what it says. Also, if you want to be wise, associate with those who are truly biblically wise. Don’t keep company with fools. Proverbs 14:7 says you should stay away from fools because they can’t teach you anything. The New King James Version puts the verse this way: “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.” The Contemporary English Version says, “Stay away from fools, or you won’t learn a thing.” Fools won’t add anything to you! Joseph, as Pharaoh’s second-in-command in Egypt, instructed the king’s officers as he pleased and taught his elders wisdom (Psalm 105:22). Who is your teacher? What is the person teaching you? Or what are you learning from him? If you walk with the wise, you will become wise; if you walk with fools, the result is destruction (Proverbs 13:20).
Pursue wisdom. “How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver” (Proverbs 16:16 New King James Version). Wise people pursue wisdom and therefore, increase in wisdom. Be wise.
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. I shall not associate with fools; I will walk with those who are biblically wise. I cut off from those the Bible describes as fools. Father, lead me into relationships that will help me to grow in wisdom. I pray that those whose minds the god of this age has blinded will be delivered so that they will believe the Gospel. Father, let the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, shine on them so that they will give their hearts to Jesus.
(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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