“My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice – indeed, I myself.” ~ Proverb 23:15
REFERENCE:
Our focus verse captures a father’s earnest desire for his son; he expresses the joy he would feel if his son became wise of heart. Why would this be important to the father? It is because wisdom is the principal thing. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 8:1, “There’s nothing better than being wise, knowing how to interpret the meaning of life. Wisdom puts light in the eyes and gives gentleness to words and manners.” God, our Father, will rejoice if your heart is wise.
The scriptures reveal the worth of wisdom: “Wisdom is better than strength…it is better than weapons of war.” “Wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” “By wisdom, kings reign, and rulers decree justice.” To have wisdom is to have the capacity to show experience, knowledge, and good judgment. It is responding sensibly or intelligently to any situation. Happy is the man who finds wisdom.
Solomon himself was so wise he judged complex matters, wrote poems, documented findings about nature and animals, and built an architectural wonder. Kings and men from different nations came seeking his wisdom. Just as a wise child gladdens his father, if you find wisdom, you will gladden the heart of God. True wisdom will lead you to love and reverence the Lord.
God, by wisdom, created and established the earth. To create and establish things like God, we need to operate in the wisdom of God. To become wise, you must seek wisdom. How?
a. By listening to wise men speak – the aged, parents, and mentors (Proverbs 5:1 & 4:11).
b. By observing and learning from life and nature (Proverbs 6:6).
c. By living in obedience and the fear of God (Job 28:28).
d. By studying the Scriptures (God’s Word), to know them. (II Timothy 3:15).
e. By desiring it and asking God earnestly for it (James 1:5).
If your heart is wise, you will avoid traps set by satan or men, be able to discern wrong from right, find stability and make steady progress, solve problems, and rise to higher levels in life. Men will seek you out to patronize and honor you. Make the pursuit of the wisdom that God gives a high priority from today. Take a break, withdraw, and go and get wisdom.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL STUDY:
Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 4:7, and Ecclesiastes 7:12
REFLECTION:
+ Will you deliberately pause, withdraw and get the wisdom to solve the riddles in your life?
+ How will you incorporate the tips on getting wisdom mentioned above to find answers to the questions life throws at you?
