Isaiah 50:4 
“The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” (NIV)

“The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.” (NLT)

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God gives his gifts of wisdom and understanding not to make us look good, but to empower us to do good. He instructs us that we may serve others. 

The difference between a reservoir and a river is motion. Each has its purpose. The idea of this verse is enriching movement. Our Father in heaven gives us his wisdom (James 1:5) as a gift, a gift he offers to all who will ask. This is a gift best used in service to others through generous distribution. This is not a gift for hoarding. 

Remember your favorite teachers and professors. You knew they knew more than you would ever know on given subjects. What a delight it was to sit at their feet, or at your desk, and listen to them reveal mysteries. As one whose favorite pastime is learning something new, there are quite a few teachers I love learning from again and again. 

One of the best ways to master new material is to teach it to others. This is especially true in spiritual matters. New truth learned and incorporated is meant to be shared. 

Notice just like God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-24), so too are his gifts of understanding and wisdom: “Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.” 

How do you seek your daily doses of wisdom and understanding? 

How do you share what God teaches you? 

Who needs to hear what God has said to you today?

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I will awaken early each morning to gain wisdom and understanding so that I may serve others with the fresh goodness of God’s gifts. 

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Our Father, morning by morning, I arise and seek you. Thank you for speaking to my heart day by day. Stretch me, grow me, fill me, use me. Make me a refreshing river of wisdom and understanding to bring comfort to the weary and instruction for growth, development, and selfless service. Amen.