Ready:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.” – Psalm 111:10
Set:
Are you ever uncertain about what to do? You are not alone. Even the most successful coaches and athletes experience times like this. Beyond what in-game strategic changes to make or how to react in a high-stress competitive moment, we can feel uncertain about other matters. For example, one of your players or teammates shares with you about a complex personal struggle that is affecting them. How should you respond? In these and similar situations, determining the right thing to say or do can be challenging. You may even think, “What if I get this wrong and make matters worse?”
When we are uncertain what to do, we need wisdom. In the Bible, wisdom is knowledge and skill in applying what is true and right. It’s understanding practically how to live according to God’s design for us. How do we get wisdom? Psalm 111 shares what we find multiple times in God’s Word: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his instructions have good insight.” To fear the Lord is to recognize how truly awesome God is. As Psalm 111:9 proclaims, “His name is holy and awe-inspiring.”
Deep reverence for God motivates us to praise Him, listen to Him, and be humbled that He would make a way for us to know Him personally through faith in Christ. Wisdom comes as we grow in our relationship with the Lord, trusting Him and obeying Him as He directs us through His Word in how to think, speak and act. As the psalmist says, good insight—knowing what to say and do in specific situations—comes through following the Lord’s instructions.
When you experience uncertainty, recognize that the awesome God of the universe draws near to you. Look to the Lord, the source of genuine wisdom, trusting Him to show you how to respond. He will grow you in the skill of applying what is right and true in each situation.
Go:
How can you cultivate a deepening awe and reverence for God?
In what current situations are you feeling uncertain and need to come to the Lord for wisdom?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord, I praise You because You are holy and awesome. Thank You that You give me insight when I’m uncertain about what to say or do. I pray that I would recognize Your greatness, listen to You and follow Your instructions. Amen.”