15 Bible Verses for Wisdom and Guidance

Are you seeking God’s guidance as you step into an uncertain situation?  Today, we’ll explore 15 Bible verses for wisdom and guidance.  I’ll also share a testimony of applying this truth to an everyday interruption.  Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you walk in wisdom.

Bible Verses for Wisdom and Guidance

Let’s see what God’s Word says about seeking wisdom and guidance from God.

15 Bible Verses for Wisdom and Guidance

1. Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

2. James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

3. James 3:17

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

4. Proverbs 19:20

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

5. Proverbs 13:20

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

6. Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.

7. Isaiah 28:29

This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

8. Colossians 2:2-3

That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

9. Proverbs 13:1

A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

10. John 8:32

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

11. Proverbs 24:14

12. Proverbs 14:16

Wisdom in Life’s Interruptions

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NIV).

Snow falls heavily—a white veil making our world feel close and small for the morning.  After the school calls off classes for the day, after the eight-year-old loses another baby tooth, and after an argument over the TV, I close the bedroom door to pray.

“Father, how would you have us use these unexpected hours together?” I pray.

I had plans to meet with friends, work on a writing project, and take the youngest to the dollar store.

Never one to embrace interruptions, this snow day has thrown me for a loop.

I watch the snow caress the spiny fingers of the spruce boughs out the window, and the words fall softly with the snow: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Teach Us to Number Our Days

These words have been on the tip of my tongue since I added Nichole Suvar’s book Numbering Our Days to my morning devotional time.

Nichole is reminding me to keep my eyes fixed on the eternal.  She’s reminding me that the troubles and cares of this world will one day pass, and we are called to live in light of eternity.

After looking up the Psalm and sitting with the words awhile, I know what the Lord is asking of me.

I can grumble my way through this day and lament everything I wish I were doing.  Or I can receive this snow day as a gift.

There will only be so many snow days with these children.

From my vantage point here in the middle days of motherhood, it feels like this season will last forever, but it won’t.  There are only so many days to set aside the schoolwork, pull out the red plastic sleds, and make snow angels in the yard.

I have a choice.  I can embrace this blessing, or I can continue to push back against my reality.

A Gentle Reminder for Every Weary Woman

Perhaps you need this reminder in some realm of your life as well.

Maybe you’ve grown weary from caring for an aging loved one.  You’re weary from being needed at all hours of the day and night.

Dear friend, let me be the first to say that your weariness is real, and it’s hard.  There’s no way around that.

You might feel like your work is unseen and unappreciated—like no one understands.

Ever so gently, may I remind you that your heavenly Father sees your efforts.  And he wants to remind you that this is a season.  It will pass.  There are only so many more days.  A time will come when your loved one is gone, and this will bring a bittersweet combination of relief and sadness.

Your role today is to remember that these days are numbered and to embrace the good moments.  No one’s asking you to cherish every moment, but something will go right today.  Something will be beautiful.  Embrace the good gifts.  These moments won’t last forever.

Encouragement for Working Women

Perhaps you’re worn down from juggling the commitments that fill your days.  Keeping up with your job, your home, your relationships, and your social schedule is exhausting you.

Dear friend, will you pause to consider that you only get so many days, and you don’t know how many days remain?

It’s worth stepping back to assess your schedule and determine whether this is truly the life you want to live.  If you had only three more days, how would you live them?  What would you do differently?

Would you back out of the commitments that don’t really matter and sit a little longer for coffee with a loved one?  Would you look into the eyes of a loved one and hug her a little tighter before walking away?

Why We Need the Lord to Teach Us to Number Our Days

Most of us would make at least a few adjustments if we knew our days were short.

Meanwhile, we’re overlooking this: Our days are short.

We are called to live these days well.

To laugh deeply, love bravely, pray boldly, listen closely, embrace tightly, and breathe slowly.

We are called to embrace God’s good gifts—gifts like children making snow angels, brisk winter mornings with the sun shining golden through the pines, and warm meals gathered around tables with loved ones.

~~~

As for our snow day, we bundle up and head to the woods. We build a campfire, make s’mores, and slide down the steep valley wall.  We return home for sledding in the yard and snow angels.

It’s not the day I had planned.

By the grace of God, it’s better.

The next time God interrupts your plans or you find yourself dreading a long day of humble work, pray this prayer, “Father, teach me to number my days.  Give me a heart of wisdom so that I might see this day in the light of eternity.”

He will answer your prayer.

Calling All Parents and Grandparents!

As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God.  Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision.  They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love.

Calling All Boy Moms (and Dads)!

God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom.  Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world.  I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven!  You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord.  Find this life-changing devotional book here.

Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter

Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion.  I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven.  Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.

Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20.  It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing.  This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start.  Bekah and I will help you right here.

Find Our Family Devotionals Here

Find all three books right here.  They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial!  These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them.  Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.

Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing

God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone.  Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life.  Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here.  (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!

A Free Devotional for Every Weary Woman

If these Bible verses for wisdom and guidance blessed you, I have a gift for you.  Would you like to connect with God in ways that breathe fresh life into your weary soul? The Weary Woman’s 20-Day Devotional is my free online devotional to help you connect with God in your worn and weary seasons.  You will find 20 daily readings to help you find refreshment in God’s presence.  Click here and I’ll send it to your email inbox today!