Walk in Wisdom: Guardian of Our Path

“Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path.” (Proverbs 2:9, NIV)

This morning the path stretches out before me, and before you. Will we ask for the wisdom and strength to walk it, or will we veer, following after crooked side-paths? Today, I’m spiritually refreshing myself in Proverbs 2, as I continue this short series of reflections on wisdom.

Proverbs 2 is all about the path of the wise. It highlights moral contrasts and “if-then” statements:

If we pursue wisdom …

If we listen to wisdom …

If we call out for insight …

If we cry aloud for understanding …

If we search for it like treasure …

THEN we will understand the fear of the Lord, then we will find knowledge of God.

Attaining wisdom requires our daily effort. In verse one the Teacher even reminds us to apply our memories, to store up his commands. These commands seem out of place in our noisy and incessant culture.

Listening …

Memorization …

Analyzing …

Insight …

These require a good bit of quiet, patience, and discipline.

But if we daily pursue wisdom, then, in the daily toil and blessing of life, when we need it most we will find wisdom. When we need to decide on a career path, which school to attend, how to parent our kids, how to react to the domineering boss, wisdom comes bearing gifts: of knowledge, understanding, victory and the refuge of a holy shield.

Wisdom is our path-guardian. Because in the end, attaining wisdom is not just about gaining clever practical life-knowledge. It is about the sustained pursuit of the person of Christ. And his is a narrow pathway, yes, but also a blessed and magical pathway of blessing.

Today’s Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to follow your path. I know it will require me to shut off my computer, lose my phone, and silence the television, but I really do want to listen to you. Light your path, show me Your Way.