Wisdom

Submitted by Jim Garner

A few weeks ago, my dad flew in from Albuquerque for a weekend visit with our family. On Saturday, I had the privilege to drive him up to his high school reunion in Seymour to visit with his classmates that he had not seen in a number of years. It was priceless to have that time with him riding in the car asking him questions about past times growing up in a small community in the 40’s and 50’s, reminiscing old family stories and what it was like being in the Korean War. Once we got to the reunion it was a joy to watch these “old” friends reunite over hugs and handshakes quickly taking them back to the good ole days. I was blessed to hear them share stories of shenanigans and catching up on what had been happening in their lives over the past sixty plus years since leaving high school. Many it not all told of children, grandkids and even great-grandkids that keep them hopping at all their activities. It was such a special time I will never forget.

But another thing I noticed was the wisdom that came with the graying hairs. Listening to stories of the past and their concerns for our nation’s future made me grateful to have had this generation leading our nation but also wondering what will happen if the wisdom they share is not applied to tomorrow.

DEVOTIONAL IDEA: The Lord has blessed us with so many truths in the book of Proverbs. If you don’t read on it daily you are missing out for so many personal and professional life lessons and blessings. Read a proverb a day by reading the chapter that matches whatever the date is for that month. If today were November 3^rd then you would read Proverbs 3. It’s a great resource!)

Proverbs 4:5-9

⁵ Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. ⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. ⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. ⁸ Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. ⁹ She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

I like how the writer of this proverb describes an urgency or passion for wisdom. He challenges us to “get”. We are called to action to go get it. We just can’t sit back and hope we find it somewhere. We need to be intentional in our lives. We can’t make excuses that it didn’t find us. We have to seek it. Wisdom is there for us in so many ways – Scripture, life experiences of mature brothers and sisters in the faith, etc.

But not only do we need to get it but we must “not forget” it and turn away from it’s truth in our lives. Yes, as we get older our minds to seem to slip a bit but if we have put the word of God in our hearts through consistent study, meditation, and memory then we will be able to hold on to these truths that affect not only our lives but our families and friends as well.

The writer continues his wonderful use of imagery as he describes the example of wisdom as one we should “love” like our wives or a girlfriend. The reward is outstanding as Scripture promises “she” (wisdom) will keep and guard us. There are so many great promises the Lord has for us when we trust Him and His word. She is also described as a “prize”. We all like prizes, awards, trophies, or recognition of some kind. But this kind of prize means to acknowledge and appreciate in the highest way possible. Once again, we are promised wisdom’s ability to help and honor us if we hold on to her.

We can learn a lot from those who have come before us. I hope you have and will consistently seek this earthly wisdom. But I challenge you to place an even greater importance on the spiritual wisdom that comes from the word of God in the Bible that we have been blessed to receive if we are intentional about it. Let’s go get and never forget what we’ve been given.