Proverbs 3:1-18 — For, you does the worth of wisdom exceed all else?
This passage has two of what I like to think of as the Proverbs Beatitudesthe worth of wisdom for our character and spirit:
- “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13).
- “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her” (Proverbs 3:18).
My heart needs a stronger bent toward wisdom. The pursuit of wisdom does not dominate my thinking, drive my doing, nor consume my life. Bible reading, meditation, and study occupy an extremely small portion of my day. Reading challenging, thought-provoking books and thinking about their message do not find a ready place in my day’s activities. Probing the life experiences and lessons in others . . . well, that rarely happens.
Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing.” In my head and heart I know this to be true. So that’s a good step. But I want more than mere knowledge and intellectual assent to the truth! I want to live in such a way that I prove I believe it. I want to live in joyful obedience to the last part of that verse: “Therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” [This paragraph and the previous are from Wisdom’s Worth.]
Acknowledge Him!
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).
- Wherever you are and however you are, acknowledge Him!
- Whatever you’re doing and however you’re doing it, acknowledge Him!
We live in His presence. We live with His presence within us. Let’s walk with Him, consciously.
Let’s retain Him in our knowledge (Romans 1:21,28). Let’s be God-conscious and take Him into consideration in every aspect of our lives.
The Scripture passage, Verse by Verse
Yesterday morning I posted some comments on Proverbs 3:1-10 at my blog Panting Hart: Wisdom, Mercy, Truth, and Trust — Get ‘Em! Hopefully tomorrow morning early I can make time to post what I have jotted down for Proverbs 3:11-18. Please be sure to check out the blog front page: Panting Hart
Excerpted from Retaining God in My Mind
Let’s not forget that Proverbs 3:15 clearly affirms that wisdom “is more precious than rubies.” (Other precious stones along with antiques, collectibles, and heirlooms rank no better against wisdom!) And in case you think you’re off the hook since that kind of stuff isn’t appealing to you, don’t overlook the ending of the verse: “and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”
There we have it, friends — wisdom is tops, exceeded in value by no material thing.
Excerpted from Worth Wisdom (September 20, 2009)
