Proverbs 4:13
Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
If I were to write this Proverb in a way that would show its proper emphasis, it would look like this:
Proverbs 4:13 take Hold of instruction; do not let go.
Guard her, for she IS your life.
This book of wisdom consistently encourages us, commands us and
even warns us that how we treat wisdom (instruction) will dramatically impact
our life! This particular one really brings home how important our attitude
concerning wisdom should be. When we state that something “IS”
with the emphasis on “IS” we are claiming that what we are talking about is absolutely
essential. Another popular word we could use is the word “Key.”
When we think of the word “Key” what comes to mind? Here are two meanings
for this word:
a. Important aspect: the aspect of something that, once
understood, provides a full understanding or explanation of the whole;
b. Means: a way or means of achieving something.
Both meanings help us to get the point of this Proverb.
If we want to open a door…we need the Key! When a passage admonishes
us to understand that God’s instructions are the “Key” to
opening the door to life, we would do well to pay attention to what that means.
If we hold onto the instructions by God concerning what is
important and we guard them, i.e. we do not allow the world’s
wisdom to water down God’s Truth, this gives us the key to life. How? When God speaks of
life, He is not limiting it to the beating of our heart and the filling of our
lungs with air…Quality, Fulfillment, and Peace are essential (Key) to what God
calls life. There are far too many examples, but let’s consider just a few:
The world will lead you to be overly concerned with just the
basics of “existence” and drive you to anxiety, stress and ulcers. Your focus can
become consumed with these things and you lose the joy and peace of life ending
up as a slave to things. God’s wisdom gives us the “Key” to
handling this aspect of life:
Matthew 6:25–34 “For this reason I say to you, do not be
worried about your life, as to
what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not
life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds
of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them… “And who of you by being worried can
add a single hour to his life?
“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field
grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon
in all his glory clothed himself like one of these...“Do not worry then,
saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for
clothing?’… for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But
seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be
added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
We can choose to fret and spend the majority of our time trying
to make sure we have enough “stuff” to remove our worry. How unrealistic! In
1929 some of the richest people in the world lost everything in a twinkling of
an eye! God instructs us to spend our time Pursuing Him, allowing Him to be concerned about our needs.
Another tremendous weight we carry in this life is dealing with
those that hurt us and the anger that brings. Again, the world speaks about “looking
out for number one!” “Do unto others BEFORE they do it to you!” Wisdom offers a
different approach:
Matthew 5:23–24 “Therefore if you are presenting your
offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something
against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be
reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
Ephesians 4:32 Be
kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in
Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:26–27 Be
angry, and yet do
not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the
devil an opportunity.
The secret wisdom shares, is that unforgiveness and anger hurt
us more than the other person! In this world people will hurt you, you cannot control
that…BUT
you can control how you respond to that! When you choose to forgive and refuse
to allow anger to take hold of your life, you sleep well at night. It is
amazing the damage anger and bitterness can produce. I knew a man that was so
mad at another person he had a stroke! Meanwhile the other person was sleeping
just fine…he had forgiven, refused to allow anger a foothold and moved on.
When you refuse to forgive and must have your “pound of flesh” you will find that you
are the one that pays that pound!
One last one, and it is most likely the greatest stressor and
joy stealer in life. Our Main purpose for our life, and what will happen after
death. The “here and now” the world offers never satisfies, and
late at night, when we are alone, our thoughts betray our false peace. “Why
am I here?” and “What will happen to me after I die?” These questions steal
our sleep and are replaced by fear and anxiety. Again, wisdom speaks directly
to this:
Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains
the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for
his soul?
Wisdom preaches: “keep the main thing, the main thing!”
When we have settled Who is in charge of our life and where do we desire to
spend eternity, the joy, peace, and purpose of life take hold of us.
The so what? Do you have a relationship
with the One that created you? What is that base on? What guides your life? Do
you seek God’s wisdom from God’s Word? What is the standard you live by? In
your view, what is the difference between God’s wisdom and the world’s wisdom?
If someone were to ask you, “What is the KEY to really enjoy life?” what would
your answer be? Is that Key giving you peace and security for the future?
