August 5, 2011

Proverbs 3:13-35 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 13:10-17, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Ezra 5

Journal Entry

Scripture

Proverbs 3: 21-22 My son, do not lose sight of these - keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

Observation

Do not lose sight of these. "These" refers to the preceeding verses: "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom," "The LORD by wisdom founded the earth." We already know that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." I imagine that "life for your soul" to be the essence of life itself. It gives me joy, purpose, energy and fulfillment. When we are alive, our eyes twinkle and our body is warm. When we die, the eyes become lifeless and our body gets cold. Wisdom is such life force of my soul.

Application

Today's passage leaves me two thoughts.

Wisdom is valuable. It gives me life. I don't think I have ever met anyone who speaks ill of wisdom. Who doesn't want to be wise? Wisdom is revered and sought. Queens and visitors from far away came to hear King Solomon and to learn from him. Yet even with his wisdom, his life was not perfect. I wonder if "wisdom" had replaced God in his life. Can pursuit of wisdom become idolatrous? That leads to my next thought.

Our LORD is the source of wisdom and is wisdom. Knowing God and seeking to know God leads us inevitably to praise Him. His plans and ways are perfect. His timing is impeccable. If I mirror God in my life, would I not be wise? What would Jesus do? Perhaps we can say that God is the perfector of wisdom.

Pursuit of wisdom is much like the pursuit of holiness (sanctification). It will be my life-long journey of learning, improving and re-learning. I may not be able to fully attain it but will seek it, knowing that God will grant me more capacity. With each pain, failure and repeat failures, God teaches me. I will not lose sight that he is perfecting his will in me to become more sanctified and more wise.

Prayer

Father, thank you for teaching me that gaining wisdom comes with a price. Yet it is nothing compared to receiving your Holy Spirit in my life so that it can be the life for my soul. Jesus said that there will be tribulations in our lives. Help me to seek you and not replace you with the pursuit of wisdom. Give me the capacity to turn knowledge into wisdom by obeying you.

--Jason Kim