PROVERBS 8
Proverbs 8:32-35 (NLT)
"And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it. Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord."Joy always seemed like something other people had—people with easier lives or fewer problems. For a long time, I believed joy was tied to circumstances, that it only showed up when everything was going smoothly. But this passage from Proverbs taught me something different: joy is tied to wisdom—and wisdom comes from God.
I’ve had seasons where I chased happiness in all the usual places—success, approval, comfort. But none of it ever lasted. Then I started to take God’s invitation seriously: to listen to Him and pay attention to what He says in His Word. It wasn’t always easy. I didn’t grow up reading the Bible, and I didn’t always understand what I was reading. But slowly, as I made time each day to sit quietly and listen, something began to shift.
I realized God wasn’t distant. He wasn’t waiting for me to have everything figured out before He showed up. He had been there the whole time—waiting for me to come close.
The passage I read today reminds me that when I waited and watched for Him, I found something far deeper than temporary happiness. I found joy.
It wasn’t because everything in my life got easier. That joy came from knowing I wasn’t alone. It reminded me that my life has meaning, and that God’s direction is trustworthy. The more I follow His ways—not because I have to, but because I want to—the more peace and purpose I find.
So watch for Him. Listen. You don’t need all the answers—He already has them. And when you begin seeking His wisdom, you’ll realize: joy has been waiting for you all along.
PRAYERLord, thank You for being near, even when I didn’t see You. Thank You for offering joy, not just when life is easy, but even when it’s not. Help me listen to Your voice, follow Your instruction, and find the life You’ve always had for me. I want to experience the joy that comes from knowing You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.