Corona Devo 255

Which would you choose if given the choice: silver, gold, or rubies?

It’s a difficult, decision, isn’t it?  They all look beautiful around a neck or in a safety deposit box…

What if you could have all three?  No, wait—what if you could gain more than the value of silver, gold and rubies?

Would you think that I am crazy for saying that wisdom makes us that proposition? 

The objects of silver, gold and rubies might sound more enticing and valuable to hold in our hand, but when I think about it (and God wants us to), the weight of wisdom’s benefits easily outweighs silver, gold and rubies, no matter how much they are worth per ounce on any given day. 

Over the years, we’ve held many enticing and valuable things, people, opportunities and decisions in our hands, but looking back over my life, there are so many that I would trade in an instant to go back and switch them with wisdom.

Wisdom prevents regret.  Wisdom encourages thinking-it-through.  Wisdom makes sound decisions instead of impulsive mistakes.  The truth is (ask any patient, accomplished, respected person): if we have wisdom, nothing you desire can compare with it (Proverbs 8:11).

And so how do we get wisdom?  God's word.  The Bible.  The B-I-B-L-E.  It's a neat thing, a transfer-of-knowledge sort of thing: when we read the Bible, it affects how we think and act (or it should).  This has a bit to do with the Holy Spirit nudging us to heed God's advice, and it has a bit to do with wisdom sinking in.  God's wisdom.  

The Book of Proverbs depicts wisdom as a person, so that we can better "picture" her in our minds, and see the benefit of welcoming "her" into our lives:

Listen as Wisdom calls out!  Hear as understanding raises her voice!
2 On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. (Proverbs 8:1-2)

We've all been there--at the crossroads of wisdom and impulse/acceptance/popularity.  But wisdom stands at other, lesser-known crossroads too.  She offers us direction today at our crossroads of fear/uncertainty/hopelessness.  She is here, calling out to us.  And because wisdom understands our contemplation with choices other-than-God's-will, she raises her voice.  Is wisdom calling out to us today?  Let's choose to listen.  

3 By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
4 “I call to you, to all of you!  I raise my voice to all people.
5 You simple people, use good judgment.  You foolish people, show some understanding.
6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.  Everything I say is right,
7 for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. (Proverbs 8:3-7)

Lord, we pray for wisdom in our individual decisions today, and we lift up prayers for the wisdom of our Nation and it's leaders today.  We pray for the truth of wisdom to be heard in our lives and in the life of our Nation, and for deception to be revealed and thwarted.  


 8 My advice is wholesome.  There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.  Nothing you desire can compare with it.  (Proverbs 8:1-11)

The principle of wisdom is simple, isn't it?  I think to myself that this is advice that I need share with my kids, to aim them in the right direction for life.  But as my mind jumps to this, I sense (in my heart) God's (spiritual) hand on my shoulder, gently settling me back in my chair.  The lessons of wisdom are not elementary or just for teaching children.  The Lord knows that we need to prioritize being wise above the material and social distractions in our lives today, and that we need to tune our ears to wisdom's voice as she cries aloud for our attention.  

The benefits of wisdom are priceless, and young or old, her lessons will change our life decisions and make our lives richer.  

It's an interesting proposition to imagine that we could gain more than the value of silver, gold and rubies.  But wisdom, though intangible, provides us more and nothing you desire can compare with it (Proverbs 8:11).

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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