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Day 8 Proverbs 3:13-18 Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou can desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retains her. How many wise people do you know? How many people do you know that you wish were wise? When was the last time you saw wisdom displayed in the person you were with? More often today people do not think before they act. Common sense or wisdom has flown out the window to be replaced with foolishness. How does one become wise? Solomon was the wisest person who ever lived. How did he get his wisdom? 1 Kings 3:5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6 And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. God asked Solomon what he could give him and Solomon asked for understanding and God gave him understanding and wisdom. In order to have wisdom you need to ask God for it. Solomon showed that there were benefits associated with wisdom. 1. It is better than silver and gold 2. More precious than rubies 3. Nothing compares to it 4. Gives long life 5. Gives riches and honor 6. Wisdom is pleasant 7. Wisdom is the path of peace 8. Wisdom is the tree of life 9. Everyone who has wisdom is happy Now pause and think about those benefits. As you do you will see that wisdom is indeed all those things. When we go after wisdom, living our life as pleasing to the Lord, we will find the benefits of wisdom will follow us and lead us where we need to go. As Christians, the wisest thing we did was to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. With eternal life before us we need the help of the Holy Spirit to lead us. We can’t live this life by ourselves. We need wisdom and the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom when we allow him to direct our lives. Earlier in this chapter we read: Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (KJV) If you are honest with yourself you know you cannot do anything in this life without wisdom, and wisdom comes from God and the Holy Spirit gives it to us. All we need to do is trust him. 1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (KJV) We are powerless in this life without the wisdom the Holy Spirit gives us. Solomon knew that and asked God for understanding and God gave him wisdom and understanding. He will do the same for us. We only need to ask. Let’s pray: Father, help me to do all things with wisdom to guide me. Do not let me rely on my own understanding, but in everything rely on you and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide me along the paths I need to follow. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 14 September 2016 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay