Young People's Group

Blessed Are All Who Retain Wisdom

by Mitchell Tan
May 21, 2021

THE STATE OF BLESSING WHEN WE RETAIN WISDOM

Wisdom is not something that we should just pursue and obtain as a priority. Because of its intrinsic value, it should also be determinedly taken hold of and retained. Such endeavours would invariably lead a person to a state of blessedness. Of course, God’s grace is also involved in this matter. Those who attain this state of blessedness will experience a special sense of joy.

“And happy are all who retain her.”
Proverbs 3:18

The pronoun “her” is a reference to wisdom. The exhortation is for us to recognise how important wisdom is and to affirm its place in our lives. We need to hold fast to it and retain it so that this state of blessedness would not be lost. In it, there are the long-term results of length of days, gaining riches and honour (Proverbs 3:16). These things go very closely together. What are some other results of finding and retaining wisdom?

1. A QUALITATIVE LIFE

“Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.”
Proverbs 3:17

A. WAYS OF PLEASANTNESS

The ways of wisdom differ greatly from the ways of man. Man’s ways very often are those of darkness and crookedness and they lead to despair and destruction. Wisdom, on the contrary, will bring about ways of pleasantness. It would bring pleasantness to our souls (Proverbs 2:10). There would be the experience of favour and goodness from the Lord. It will generate much delight in our hearts as we walk in the right way.

B. PATHS OF PEACE

The word “paths” is a reference to the paths taken in life. When we have wisdom and live our lives well, there would be the experience of peace in all the paths we take. Peace would be added to our length of days.

I. EXTERNAL PEACE

There will be peace with the people that we relate to.

II. INTERNAL PEACE

There would be the experience of peace and stillness within our hearts.

2. A TREE OF LIFE

“She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her”
Proverbs 3:18

The seed of wisdom will grow into a tree of life. Retaining wisdom would cause us to accumulate it till it becomes a tree of life to us; life infusing our souls. Wisdom will help us to be strong and to be full of life as we take hold of her.

THE CHALLENGE TO HOLD FAST AND RETAIN WISDOM

How can we hold fast and retain wisdom?

1. Remembering and keeping wise exhortations (Proverbs 3:1).

2. Writing mercy and truth in our hearts (Proverbs 3:3).

3. Trusting in the Lord and not our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5 -6)

4. Fearing the Lord and departing from evil (Proverbs 3:7).

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