Advent Week 2 - Day 1

Advent Week 2: Day 1: The Allure of Earthly Wisdom

(Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:5-8)

Imagine wandering through a labyrinth, shrouded in a thick fog. Every turn presents a new challenge, every path a potential dead end. The echoes of doubt and fear reverberate through the maze, leading us astray. This is the perilous path of life when we rely solely on human wisdom.

Proverbs 3:5-6 warns, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Human understanding, limited by our finite perspective and prone to error, is an unreliable compass. It can lead us astray, leaving us lost and confused. 

James 1:5 offers a solution to this predicament: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." God, the ultimate source of wisdom, invites us to seek His guidance. Like a beacon of light cutting through the darkness, His Word illuminates our path, revealing the way forward. Yet this promise comes with a warning, verses 6-8 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” 

Reflection:

What areas of your life have you been relying solely on your own understanding?

How can you actively surrender your anxieties and decisions to God today?