In Pursuit of Wisdom


Proverbs 3:21-35
21My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
23Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
24If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
26for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
29Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.
30Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
31Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,
32for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
33The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.
35The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

The opening words of this passage say it all: … do not lose sight of these.

Life seems to move by at a fairly rapid rate. It is so incredibly easy to get lost in the details and swift passage of time, causing us to lose focus on the important and to dwell instead on the emergent. But these words call for a different approach. They call for a careful examination of our actions and words and to instead live intentionally in pursuit of God's way – the path of Wisdom.

None of us is immune to the ravages of sin. Daily our flesh, the world, and the evil one seek to drag us away from God and His Wisdom lifestyle. That’s why these words ring with such truth – we know the opposite intimately. But we find here a real “if-then” situation. If you follow the path of Wisdom, then you will live a life pleasing to God. This is not the way of justification, but the way of sanctification. We are not earning heaven with this lifestyle. We are living out what we have been given through the blood of Jesus right here on earth.

These ideas are not new, and I’ll bet you’re saying, “Yup, I already knew that.” But because we are so incredibly bound to our flesh and this world, we need a constant reminder. These words are spoken by a loving father to the son he cherishes. It is the father’s desire to see the son have a good life, filled with peace and the love of God. But that father also knows there will be trials along the way and forewarned is forearmed.

So read the verses again and allow them to sink in deep. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower His way rather than your own throughout the day and see if it makes a difference.

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