The Strength and Beauty of Wisdom

The strength and beauty of wisdom are illuminated in Proverbs 24. Verses 3 and 4 are particularly delightful. "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures" (Prov. 24:3-4). This past weekend, my husband and I worked on organizing our garage. I ran across some little treasures as well as some old letters and essays from my high school years. This passage reminds me that impeccable furniture and flawless decor do not make a home. A home is built of laughter, long talks about God's love for us, our hopes for our work for Him, and memories of those we love. Here's another beautiful verse about wisdom: "Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off" (Prov. 24:14).

Wisdom blesses us with hope and strength for the present as well as the future. "A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength" (Prov. 24:5). Verse 10 says, "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!" Now, of course, times of trouble are difficult. But if you have been storing up wisdom and the strength it begets, when those hard times come, you will be more able to face them with courage and peace.

Also in this chapter are some verses about how to respond to those who hurt you.

"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove..." (Prov. 24:17-18a).

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out" (Prov. 24:19-20).

"Do not say, 'I'll do that to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did'" (Prov. 24:29).

These verses remind me of what Jesus would say centuries later: "'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven'" (Matt. 5:44-45a).

Wisdom doesn't always make sense to our earthly minds. But the more you follow your Savior, the more His words make sense.