Lent: A Season of Drawing Closer to GodSýnishorn

Week 2 Filling

Filling with Wisdom

Read: Daniel 1:3–17; James 1:5

SOAP: James 1:5

But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.

Into the Text

When Daniel and the other princes were sent to Babylon, they were assigned to the king’s royal service. This meant they were given royal delicacies to eat, as well as an abundance of wine. However, because Daniel and his friends wanted to honor God, they asked to be served only vegetables.

Daniel and the other young men fasted from the delicacies of the king. Instead of filling themselves with what the world had to offer, they remained faithful to God’s commands and refused to eat any food God considered unclean. They fasted from these things and, in doing so, were filled with wisdom and discernment as they entered their new life of service in Babylon. Their refusal to eat these foods showed they feared God more than people, and they wanted to obey Him more than they wanted to obey the king.

God longs to give His people wisdom. When we need wisdom, all we have to do is ask, and He promises to provide it generously. But with that wisdom should also come obedience. If we are asking God for wisdom, we must also be willing to follow where that wisdom leads, even if it is not easy.

When we fast, one of the things we make room for is wisdom. As we remove the distractions of the world, we might realize that the things that seemed wonderful are actually making us unwell. God graciously gives us wisdom so we can know what is best and live with discernment. In what area of your life do you need wisdom? Ask God today to give you the wisdom you need, and be faithful to obey and follow where it leads.