Proverbs 3.13-18
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.”
The wisdom of God is about life and work in the real world. It isn’t mystical or mysterious or esoteric. It is real insight for real decisions in the real world. It is guidance for how to think and respond to people and situations. It is wisdom for how to manage the “R” in E+R=O.
Notice that Proverbs often talks about the value of wisdom for “success.” It is the recurring message that productive, successful people are those who make wise decisions, take effective action, and avoid foolish things. In simple terms, successful people align their lives with God’s truth. They stay on-path and say no to anything off-path.
The passage above says that on-path people — those who follow the ways of wisdom — enjoy the blessings of long life, riches, honor, pleasantness, and peace. It’s common sense, isn’t it? Do the right thing, be kind to people, tell the truth, work hard, manage your emotions, stay away from deceitful people, etc … there is a good chance you will have a successful life.
Proverbs often describes wisdom with terms like “treasure, silver, gold, precious jewels” because Solomon wants us to recognize the value of wisdom. To enjoy the blessings and benefits of wisdom, you must place the right value on it. You must fully invest in it.
Proverbs 3.19-20
“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.”
God not only built the earth by means of wisdom; he also built wisdom into the earth. In other words, God built a world that is governed by physical laws and spiritual laws. He built cause-and-effect into the world. He built the world to operate a certain way.
The universe has design and order, because that is the way the Lord created it. Wisdom is understanding the way the world operates, and then applying that understanding to do productive work.
Proverbs 3.21-23
“My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.”
Understanding the way the world operates and applying that understanding to do productive work is the source of confidence and security. It is how you should “walk” … that is, the way you should go about your daily life. Christians should live and work with courage and confidence because they know the Creator, and they know the physical and spiritual laws that govern the universe that God created.
Proverb 3.24-26
“If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”
Once again, the blessings of wisdom are safety, strength, and security. When we understand and align our lives with the physical and spiritual principles that God created, we will live with courage and confidence, not uncertainty and fear.
Read verse 24 again and think deeply about what it says: “If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” That is the blessing of aligning your life with God’s truth. There are alot of fearful, stressed-out people in the world today. There are many people suffering from anxiety and depression. Why? Because they have been pulled off-path and are out of alignment with the way God created them.
May we walk daily in the wisdom of God, and with great compassion may we do what we can, when we can to encourage and support others.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4)
