Wisdom’s Blessings

THREE INVALUABLE TOOLS are offered in our Key Verses to successfully meet the challenges of life. They are instruction, knowledge and wisdom. These are much needed in this world’s chaos. In the present climate of uncertainty, spawned by a pandemic, we may hear of a person leading “a charmed life” and envy them. Realistically, the efficacy of a “charm” is dubious. Such things are the imaginative concoction of our fallen race and a poor substitute for the Father in Heaven. The psalmist summed up this point well: “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.”—Ps. 115:3-8, NKJV

It has been observed that those who come into sudden wealth often descend into dissipation. Their riches are quickly brought to naught by the purchase of expensive jewelry, cars, palatial homes, or other perceived luxuries of life which they desire. Assuredly these are nice things, but they cannot satisfy the deep longings of the soul. Experience teaches us that a complete filling of the soul’s hunger comes, in a lasting and profound manner, through partaking daily of the wisdom in God’s Word. God declares in Proverbs 8:8, “All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.” (NKJV) The Apostle John echoes this thought as to the purity and perfection of God’s being. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (I John 1:5, NKJV) Most people of faith affirm that God is light. However, they perhaps fail to see the other side of the equation, “In Him is no darkness at all.”

Our Selected Scripture passage enumerates wisdom’s blessings. First and foremost is wisdom’s value, which is superior to all material wealth. Next in order is the blessing of humility. “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.” (Prov. 8:13) To be liberated from the love of evil, practicing pride and arrogance, plotting evil schemes, and speaking hurtful things is a great blessing. It makes life richer and more blessed. Kings, rulers, princes, nobles, and judges may rule well by wisdom’s counsel and soundness. (vss. 14-16) Thus we also, as followers of Christ, may experience wisdom’s blessings.

Verse 21 is a fitting close to this lesson. It reveals the summation of wisdom’s benefit to us. “That I [wisdom] may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.” Our treasuries will be filled if we gain wisdom. The true value of wisdom is this: we will be wise enough to realize the value of personal integrity, a righteous reputation, and a closer walk with God. Truly, these are wisdom’s eternal blessings.