Ok . . . I’m in! Sign me up! Bring it on! Show me where! Planted in the middle of Proverbs 3 is an infomercial of sorts. The “product” truly is better than “sliced bread”. It can’t be bought for $9.99 down and $9.99 a month for 99 years . . . it doesn’t slice and dice and make julienne fries (whatever those are). Rather it is something that is searched out, not purchased . . . something that is obtained through a humble and diligent pursuit rather than by supplying your credit card number. And when it is found, the gain it brings . . . the profit enjoyed . . . is beyond all expectation. So, like I said, I’m in!

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 3:13-15 ESV)

Wisdom. Why wouldn’t we take up the Lord on His offer . . . on His plea . . . to seek wisdom? I don’t know that the culture around us really thinks about, much less values, wisdom that much. But the people of God . . . those brought from darkness into light . . . those made alive to the things of a kingdom not of this world . . . those given access to the thoughts of God, through the mind of Christ, taught by the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 2:10-16) . . . they should be the first to respond to wisdom’s cry (Prov. 1:2).

Wisdom . . . skillful living . . . insight and understanding as to how best to navigate this life . . . comprehension of how best to prepare for the next life. The same wisdom by which the Lord founded the earth and established the heavens (Prov. 3:19). Available to for the seeker. Better than silver . . . more valuable and stable than gold . . . more precious than jewels . . . nothing, absolutely nothing compares with it. How amazing is that?

Not that we become like God . . . instead, in some measure, we can know the mind of God, and leverage that knowledge as we seek to walk with God. It’s about being so heavenly minded that we max out the potential for earthly good . . .

“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 3:16-18 ESV)

Wisdom won’t prevent trials . . . wisdom is not some immunization from pain and sorrow . . . it isn’t a guarantee for no worries . . . instead it is what maximizes the return on all life’s experiences. It is that insight which sets our mind on things above . . . which encounters things on this horizontal plain with a awareness of a vertical dimension. It is that understanding that recognizes the hand of God in all circumstance . . . knows the presence of God in every step . . . acknowledges that the purposes of God will be fulfilled for our benefit.

Wisdom is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her . . . to those who ask for her, she will be given . . . to those who seek her, she will be found . . . to those who knock on her door, it will be opened . . . to those who “call now”, she will be sent freely . . .

” . . . yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:3-5 ESV)

I’m in!