Wisdom for Our Problems - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all. James 1:5

Today's Scripture
James 1:5-8

Today's Devotion
In 1707, disaster struck a naval armada commanded by Great Britain’s Sir Cloudesley Shovell. At the time, mariners couldn’t calculate longitude and were often uncertain of their precise location. In the case of Admiral Shovell’s fleet, this inability led to grave consequences. Nearing the Isles of Scilly, four ships struck the rocks and sank. More than 1,400 sailors died, including Admiral Shovell.

A better way of navigation was needed. Then, in 1761, clockmaker John Harrison invented a marine chronometer that calculated longitude. The problem of maritime navigation was greatly eased.

The problems we face may not have such far-reaching consequences, but they’re real all the same. To face those problems, we have Jesus, the living embodiment of the wisdom of God. The apostle Paul wrote, “It is because of [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30). We also have the promise of wisdom from God. James declares, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

What problems do you face? Seek the wisdom of our eternally wise Father. Allow His Spirit and the Scriptures to guide your decisions.

Reflect & Pray
What problems are you wrestling with? How will you seek God’s wisdom for solutions to those challenges?

Loving God, thank You for the wisdom of the Bible and the provision of Your Spirit to guide me in life. Please help me rest in Your wisdom rather than relying on my own.

Today's Insights
Several men named James are mentioned in the Gospels. One is the brother of John, who was executed by King Herod (Acts 12:2). Another is James the son of Alphaeus, who was one of the Twelve (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). The author of the book of James, however, is traditionally believed to be Jesus’ half-brother (Matthew 13:55). James didn’t believe in Christ earlier in his life (John 7:5), but he became a believer after Jesus appeared to him after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7). He was part of the early church (Acts 1:14) and eventually became a leader in the Jerusalem church and arbitrated the decision regarding how to apply Moses’ law to gentile converts (15:13-21). In his letter, James writes about God’s wisdom and encourages us to seek it for our lives (James 1:5).

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