Whatever You Do, Get This One Thing! - March 23

Read Proverbs 4:3-7

When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my word; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.”

Reflect

What do you want to get? What are you pursuing above all else? Do you think it will be worth it in the end? Why or why not?

Some days, I scroll on social media and think, “I should get that.” The “that” can be many different things depending on the day but most of them are very superficial. One day I may think I need new clothes because I want to get more stylish. Another day, I think I need to start setting aside money for a renovation because I want to get a more beautiful kitchen. Other days, I go on Pinterest and pin a bunch of healthy recipes and workouts because I want to get into better shape.

We all have different pursuits. We all want to get something different out of life. Many of those things aren’t bad things in and of themselves. Some of them are even very good things. But when we read today’s proverb, we see that there is something else that we should strive for. Solomon wrote that when he was a young boy, his father, King David, wisely advised him to pursue wisdom above everything else. He even said that getting wisdom is the beginning of wisdom.

Now, you may be thinking, wait a minute! I thought the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). And it is! The two go together perfectly. You see, it is wise to wish for wisdom but there is no wisdom apart from the Lord. So, if you want to acquire wisdom, fear the Lord and seek His wisdom! In the end, you’ll end up with both wisdom and a relationship with God. If you aim for wisdom apart from the Lord, you’ll miss out on both.

In this life, there are so many things we want to “get.” But the Proverbs say nothing is more valuable than getting wisdom: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than the gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed” (Proverbs 3:13-18).

So, next time you are thinking about everything you want to get, pursue the Lord and His wisdom instead. Read Scripture, memorize a Proverb, spend time in prayer. Nothing else is worth more than acquiring wisdom from God.

Respond

Lord, I confess that sometimes I value superficial and worldly things over You. Please forgive me. Help me to pursue You above all else. If You give me nothing else, please, give me Your wisdom, discernment, and understanding. Amen.

Reveal

What do your priorities and pursuits reveal about you? Can the people around you tell that you are pursuing God’s wisdom above all else?