Proverbs 8:17 – I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
The subject of today’s devotional is the theme of Solomon’s Book of Proverbs – Wisdom.
Like a fair maiden who is the object of a young suitor, Wisdom promises—Love me; Desire me; Seek me—and I will be yours.
Proverbs 8:17 recalls a day when respect and love of neighbor were honorable ideals. The portrait drawn in verse 17 is one of courtship, an art that is all but extinct in our day when society has rejected refined ideals of modesty and moral virtue. In this verse, “godly wisdom” [more than practical knowledge and intellect] calls to us and says, “If you love me you will seek me; and if you seek me you will find me!” What a wonderful promise; however, it demands both sincerity and self-discipline.
Do you remember where wisdom is found? Godly wisdom is not found in secular textbooks and worldly philosophies [in fact, the wisdom of the world is foolishness by God’s estimation – 1 Corinthians 3:19]. According to Psalm 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” The “fear of the Lord” embodies both faith and a reverential fear and awe of God Who is Holy, Loving and Just. Reject the existence of God and you are a hopeless fool (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)!
One can only bemoan the great multitude of men who have died fools because they were unwilling to diligently seek God and His wisdom.
Those blessed with godly wisdom will evidence riches and honor that cannot be purchased with gold and silver. The children of godly wisdom are blessed with a heritage, if valued, can be passed from generation to generation.
