Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Job 12:1–15:35, 1 Corinthians 15:29–58, Psalm 39:1–13, Proverbs 21:30–31

---

Stay Close To God

There are times when God warns us without telling us exactly what is coming.

Perhaps there is wisdom in that. If we knew every detail, we might immediately begin preparing in the ways we think are best—making plans, gathering resources, and relying on our own understanding. Before long, our confidence could shift from God to our own preparation.

Today’s Gem of Knowledge carries that kind of warning:

“Something is coming like you’ve never seen before, and you must be anchored in me to stay strong. It is powerful, but I am more powerful. I will take care of my people, but they must choose me and stay close or they will be deceived. Amen.”

What could this possibly be?

I don’t know.

And I don’t want to put words in God’s mouth by trying to name something He didn’t name. But I do know what He told us to do about it: be anchored in Him.

That makes today’s words from Paul especially powerful: “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT).

Strong and immovable.

An anchor doesn’t prevent the storm from coming. It keeps the vessel from being carried away by it. In the same way, being anchored in Christ doesn’t mean we will never encounter frightening circumstances, cultural upheaval, confusion, pressure, or things we have never experienced before. It means those things do not have to determine where we end up.

Our security is not found in knowing what’s coming. Our security is found in knowing the One who will still be God when it gets here.

Job understood what it was like to face suffering unlike anything he had ever seen or experienced before. His life had changed almost overnight, and he had no explanation for what was happening. Yet in the middle of his questions, he still recognized where true wisdom and power were found: “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his” (Job 12:13, NLT).

Job didn’t understand what was happening behind the scenes, but he knew God possessed the wisdom, power, and understanding he lacked. When we face what we have never faced before, we need to remain anchored to the One who already understands and knows what to do.

That matters when deception is involved.

Deception rarely announces itself as deception. If it did, nobody would fall for it. It often sounds reasonable, looks convincing, appeals to our emotions, or contains enough truth to make the lie difficult to recognize. That is why simply being intelligent, informed, or even familiar with Scripture isn’t enough if we are not remaining close to the Holy Spirit.

We need to know God’s voice.

We need to know His Word.

And we need to remain close enough to Him that when something doesn’t sound like our Shepherd, we recognize it.

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27, NLT). Staying close to Him isn’t something we should wait to do when trouble arrives. We build that relationship now—in prayer, worship, Scripture, obedience, and the ordinary daily habit of seeking His counsel.

Today’s Proverbs gives us another important perspective: “No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30, NLT).

Whatever this Gem ultimately refers to, God is not intimidated by it.

Something may be powerful, but it is not more powerful than Him. Something may deceive many, but it cannot deceive God. Something may shake the world around us, but it cannot shake His throne.

And the next verse says, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31, NLT).

There is wisdom in preparation, but our confidence must never shift from God to our preparation. He will prepare us in the ways that will be best for us. We don’t need to become consumed with figuring out every possible scenario or afraid of what might happen. Fear itself can pull our attention away from Him.

So perhaps the most important question isn’t, “What is coming?”

It is, “Am I anchored?”

If the answer is yes, keep drawing closer. Keep learning His voice. Keep seeking His counsel. Keep choosing Him.

And if the answer makes you uncomfortable, that’s not a reason to panic. It’s an invitation to come closer now.

Whatever comes, He is more powerful.

Stay anchored. 💎

---

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to draw closer to the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Spend time in His Word and ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize His voice and truth more clearly. Don’t prepare through fear—prepare through closeness.

---

Prayer

Dear Lord, I don’t know what lies ahead, but I know You. Anchor me so deeply in You that I will not be moved by fear, confusion, pressure, or deception. Help me know Your Word, recognize Your voice, and seek Your counsel in everything. Give me discernment to recognize what is false and courage to stand firmly in what is true. Whatever comes, remind me that You are greater, You are more powerful, and victory belongs to You. Keep me close to You, Lord. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.