Daily Focus - Divine Guidance

"In the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom" (Psalm 51:6b).

If ever a parent needed the wisdom of Solomon to resolve disputes, it's a homeschooling parent. Since we live with our families 24/7, we face more instances of sibling conflict than other families. Unfortunately, homeschooled children are no different than any other children and will fight over the most trivial things. Like Solomon, many times you're forced to stand in judgment as you physically separate two children who are arguing. Worst of all, there's no teacher's guide or answer key to give you the helpful information you need to resolve problems. Applying the right discipline to correct your child's behavior requires discernment from the Holy Spirit and wisdom from God's perfect curriculum — the Bible.

Wisdom is not only needed for resolving disputes while homeschooling. It's also necessary in every aspect of the Christian life. Daily, we face problems, issues, and temptations that require divine knowledge in making the right decision or response. How do we know when we're relying on our own smarts or actually following God's divine wisdom? James 3:17 tells us the answer: "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

Does self-ambition or jealousy control your decision-making, or have you discovered God's true wisdom for making godly choices? Whether you are giving your homeschoolers guidance or seeking help for yourself, God's wisdom will always take you in the right direction. Best of all, His wisdom is readily available to anyone who will humble himself to ask for it. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally" (James 1:5).

Father, forgive me for trusting in my own intelligence when facing life's problems. Please, give me Your wisdom today for all the decisions I need to make. In Jesus' name, Amen.