THE VALUE OF WISDOM

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!

Proverbs 14:33, 16:16

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Conduct a poll and ask people what they consider to be valuable in life. What do you think the top-ten list would look like?

One such poll I looked at produced the following results:

1) Friends / relationships / family
2) Good health
3) Work / Job security
4) Material possessions
5) Religion / religious freedom
6) Work-life balance
7) Time for yourself
8) Education
9) The environment
10) Peace

What would your list look like? Would it look similar or would there be different opinions? Perhaps you might agree with the results but would have them in a different order based on your sense of priorities.

But what would the Bible have to say about the matter of what is valuable in life? And in regard to our question and this devotion today, what would Solomon have to say since we are looking at his series of writings known as the Proverbs?

To find the answer, specifically regarding Solomon, we need to go back in the Old Testament to when he was about to assume the throne from his father David. Look at this passage:

Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. 1 Kings 3:3-13

You’ll note here that Solomon had an opportunity to ask for anything from the Lord. He could have asked for riches or good health or anything else in the world. He could have had whatever he wanted but instead of asking for anything material, he asked for “an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil.” And the Lord granted him his wish and more. For Solomon was blessed with what he didn’t ask for as well, riches and honor for all his life.

Yes, God’s word shows us today that the most valuable thing we could ever seek from the Lord is wisdom and the ability to be discerning when it comes to all matters in life. Solomon would validate this as he wrote the following proverb:

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16

Friends, I think everyone is on a quest to have things of value in life. I also think that most people look for this in all the wrong places, following the ways of the world instead of the ways of the Lord.

This is just one more reason we need to study the word of the Lord each and every day. For only in doing that can we receive the most valuable gift that God wants to give us – the gift of wisdom.

Won’t you receive it today and every day the Lord blesses you with, allowing wisdom to repose in your heart and bring you the discernment that leads you to righteousness and right living as a result (Proverbs 14:33).

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. 14:33

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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