Acquiring What's Most Important

      By Fern Horst

"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her." (Proverbs 3:13-18)

When I read through the book of Proverbs, I can't help but notice the importance God puts on wisdom. Far above anything else we may acquire, God tells us that wisdom is the most valuable.

Wisdom, of course, cannot be divorced from God Himself. Without a relationship with Him no one can have true wisdom. It is true that many have developed common sense and have applied it to various aspects of their lives, all without a relationship with the Lord. But when making the most important decision of all - whether or not to make Christ their Lord and Saviour - they fail miserably by rejecting Him and are literally doomed for all eternity.

The wisdom we receive from the Lord is not something we can develop without Him. It comes from walking closely with Him in everyday life and talking to Him about everything, from saturating ourselves with the truth in His Word, by reading and mediating on it, and from being filled with His Holy Spirit as we yield our wills to His.

As we make these activities a natural part of our lives we acquire His wisdom to apply to all aspects of our lives. We use wisdom to make the best possible choices regarding what training to pursue, what job to accept or decline, and who we should marry. Some choose wisely not to marry, rather than marrying someone whom they know would not be the best choice for them. Others realize that, in light of what God has called them to do, remaining single is the wisest choice for them.

No matter what the reason is that we are unmarried, wisdom also enables us to live our single lives so that we take full advantage of the opportunities we have as singles. Wisdom keeps us from wasting those opportunities on ourselves, and helps us to invest them on what will last for eternity. As we seek the Lord and His wisdom and ask Him to use us for His glory, we can be confident that - despite the mistakes we will inevitably make as humans - we won't live our lives in vain.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." (Proverbs 3:5-8)

© 2003 Fern Horst

If you would like to reprint this devotional in its entirety, whether it be in your blog, on your website, in your church newsletter, or elsewhere, please contact us for permission. If you are quoting this devotional, please provide a cite and a link back to this page. Thank you!

Visit the Devotional Archives

We appreciate your feedback, which is an inspiration, encouragement, and blessing to us! Please use our Contact Us page to send us your response. Thanks!