Proverbs 3:21-26, Wisdom’s Security System!
February 3, Proverbs 3:21-26
Psalm 121 “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27).
Wisdom’s Security System!
William Arnot observed, “An appalling amount of hypocrisy exists in Christendom, and passes current for devotion.” Bunyan painted a similarly sad picture in his day. When the sailing is smooth, By-ends and his kinsfolk of the town of Fair Speech will not suffer Christian to “impose or lord it over [their] faith,” but Christian replied, “You must go against wind and tide; you must own Religion in his rags, as well as when in his silver slippers.” Many are like By-ends great-grandfather, who was a “waterman, looking one way and rowing another!”
- Vigilance: Again, the appeal is My son, obey wisdom’s voice (v.21). Today’s verses list some of the rewards of vigilantly practicing sound wisdom and discretion contained in the precepts already given. Wisdom is sound, that is, efficient, winning, when it is not only acquired but submitted to at any cost. Never let them depart, but keep them faithfully. It is when we apply them that we display sound wisdom, but it will be worth the effort at the end of the day.
- Excellence: So shall they be life unto thy soul (v.22). Life is a familiar theme. The Gospel introduces us to those “Wonderful words of Life” which are as sunshine to the weary soul. Man’s wisdom is void of such life (Eph. 4:18), but David can testify the entrance of thy [God’s] words give life (Ps. 119:130). Their absence means darkness and death but their presence is the bread and water of life. We must strive for nothing less than spiritual excellence. That too, like sound wisdom, needs much effort.
- Permanence: Grace to thy neck (v.22). Do not confuse grace with merit, as does the Douay Version, in order to slip in Rome’s works salvation. Grace is not only a Charming sound, it is precious ornament. All saints, not just higher ones, display it, for it is within reach of the poor, not just the rich. It is given unmerited by God. Best of all, it is incorruptible. The world’s “ornaments and crowns tarnish and decay into dust,” but Life with Jesus is grace-full (Ac. 4:13). Sound wisdom wins a crown that never fades (1 Pt. 5:4).
- Assurance: Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble (v.23). Safe steps, not stumbling, means safety on the path when danger strikes! Yet, we must never let down our guard. David’s feet almost slipped when he got his eyes off the Lord (Ps. 73). Boastful Peter did slip (Mt. 26:33, 58)! God keeps watch over his own (Ps. 91:12), But there needs to be continual watchfulness on our part. Wisdom is something practical as light for the path, to keep us from falling. It is the only safe way, and thus we can sing with assurance, “Safe in the arms of Jesus; safe on His gentle breast.”
Thought: “Wisdom is a Divine endowment not a human acquisition” (Zodhiates).
Prayer: To walk before men effectively for Thee, O Lord.