Wisdom and Discretion

Proverbs 3:21-24

My son, do not lose sight of these -
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.

Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

To lie down and not be afraid – now that is a blessing indeed. To lie down and not worry about who is out to get you; not to worry about how the bills will be paid; not to worry about what will happen tomorrow – that is a blessing we would be happy to pay for.

And we do try. We work hard to get money to buy security through a solid bank account and a nice home. We buy contentment through a nice sound system and through exotic travel destinations. We invest heavily in security and peace through clinging desperately to relationships. We even try to buy sweet sleep through pills to dull our senses.

But sweet, peaceful sleep comes not through earnest effort but from wisdom and discretion. For security rests not in building defense systems and accumulating objects, or even people; security comes from knowing what matters; it comes from knowing the One who created us, who holds us in his hands. Peace comes from knowing the peace of our Redeemer who did the hard work on our behalf. Security and peace comes from knowing to whom we belong, who he is, and what he intends for us.

Pray for such wisdom and discretion to know what is of eternal value and what really does not matter. As you attain such knowledge; as you adorn wisdom and discretion around your neck, then you walk on your way securely and lie down without fear.