The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.
My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.—Proverbs 3:19-26
Beloved…Through wisdom, understanding and knowledge God created the world. If God needed these, how much more do we need them as we navigate through the trials and troubles of this life. God’s wisdom is found in His word. In Him is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
And to depart from evil is understanding.'"
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.—Psalm 19:7-11
1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us (unbelievably!) that as believers, we have the mind of Christ. His Spirit indwells us and instructs us.
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.—John 15:15
When we embrace Christ, we embrace sound wisdom and discretion. The word wisdom here in the Strong’s carries the idea of “abiding success”. I love that! Victory in Christ both in this life and in the one to come.
The author of Proverbs 3 tells his son not to let wisdom and discretion depart from his eyes. He exhorts him to keep (guard) them because they will be life to his inner man (his soul) and a spiritual adornment for all to see around his neck. God’s favor in his life will be evident to all.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.—Psalm 90:17
They will keep him safe (vs23). They will bring him peace and freedom from fear. Steeped in the word his sleep will be sweet. When trouble comes, the Lord will be his confidence. He will keep his foot from being caught.
He will not be afraid of evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.—Psalm 112:7
Beloved…What is true for this proverbial son is true for us in Christ as well.
Lift up your eyes to the Lord. He is Your help. He is your shield and your exceedingly great reward.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.—Psalm 121
