Daily Proverbs - Proverb 4:6

The wealthiest man who ever lived wrote the proverbs. He must've known something! Although the Bible was written millenia ago, its contents actually are applicable and beneficial today. When eternal principals and laws (not talking about the ten commandments when I write "law" here. I am referencing governing systems that are alive, whether we know it or not! I believe Solomon understood these "laws".) are honored, your life will benefit, even if you don't adhere to the Judaeo-Christian beliefs contained in the rest of the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture is from the Holman Christian Study Bible; all Hebrew/Greek/Aramaic references are from Strong's Concordance; all English definitions and word roots are according to Merriam-Webster.

Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you. - Proverb 4:6

How can wisdom watch over you? When you don't turn your back on sound wisdom, "she" will speak to you from your heart. There is conventional wisdom, eternal wisdom, common sense... True wisdom produces life.

Conventional wisdom tells us to live for the moment, that love has its time and then its time to move on to your next lover. Timeless wisdom tells us to look straight ahead, not to the left or right - to be focused. This is not to say you cannot have fun in the moment - certainly there are times for celebration and fun. However, setting goals and reaching for them (that is actually found in the Bible, too) is to be focused. Not spending $100 on that clearance painting that you don't need when your goal is to pay off all debt - is wisdom. To abandon wisdom would be to ignore proven counsel and go with emotion.

What does it mean to love someone? You think of them often. You consider their opinion in decisions. When one loves wisdom, considers what wisdom would say rather than emotion or "the moment" - wisdom protects you. Wisdom says not to "sleep around" - emotion says, "have fun" -- unplanned pregnancy, std's, broken hearts, lost esteem are found when one "gives into the moment". In this situation, wisdom guards from unplanned pregnancy, std's, broken hearts and lost esteem.

Wisdom exists for every facet of life - eating, cleaning, working, relationships, etc. Wisdom is not given to keep anyone from having fun. Wisdom is given to protect humanity from disease, heartache, broken homes, fortunes lost. "Conventional wisdom" mocks eternal wisdom. However, when tested, eternal wisdom truly benefits its lovers.

Eternal Creator,
You gave guidelines for life, not to keep me from having fun, but to protect me and to prepare me for a full life. Teach me to listen for wisdom, give me ears to hear wisdom, and a heart to understand wisdom, and the strength to follow wisdom.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.