A Life in Exile

The previous post ended with thoughts of walking on a beach or taking a hike and marveling at the wisdom of God in creation. We’re going to continue our walk today in the following verses of Proverbs 3:

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. (Proverbs 3:21-24 ESV)

The wisdom of which we read in Proverbs will be surrounded with several other words to deepen our understanding of all that it entails. Today, we are encouraged to keep, not only wisdom in our sights, but discretion. Webster’s uses the word “discernment” when referring to discretion, but also includes this telling definition: “the use of careful judgment in making responsible decisions.” There is a cautiousness in discretion. It’s not flashy or impulsive. Decisions made with discretion are reserved and thoughtful.

If we look to God for wisdom, His Word helps us to make discerning choices and walk with discretion. They impact us in several ways, as these verses continue.

Wisdom and discretion bring life

When you seek God’s wisdom and discretion, Solomon says, “they will be life for your soul.” What does that mean? Well, I think we can easily understand it by thinking of the opposite. We all know what happens with a person who lives foolishly and without discretion. Poor choices are made, and they rush into dangerous situations with abandon. The resulting consequences are disastrous and can be deadly. We’ve all known a person like that—reckless in all their ways; they refuse to take advice from others and never consider the outcome of their choices.

That said, we can easily see how seeking God’s wisdom and using discretion when making decisions leads to positive outcomes, greater chances for success, and decreased likelihood of destructive results. In a nutshell—life. Those who follow God’s ways and live by His wisdom and with discretion live longer and fuller lives. But that’s not all.

Wisdom and discretion impact how others see you

Solomon uses metaphorical language, saying that keeping sound wisdom and discretion will be “adornment for your neck.” By describing them as an adornment, we can visualize our living by God’s wisdom and discretion as a necklace. We dress ourselves with this added bling that defines us to the world. We’re set apart as a person dressed, not only in the righteousness of Christ (as His followers) but a person who lives by the Word of God, because we’re adorned with wisdom and discretion.

There are a lot of pop stars and rappers in our culture who wear HUGE necklaces. Some are crosses, others are big dollar signs. No matter the symbol, they are all big, bedazzled, and flashy. You can’t miss them. It’s hard to look at the person without seeing the chunk of metal and jewels around their neck. They are definitely set apart by their adornment, but does it necessarily reveal wisdom and discretion? No. Oftentimes, quite the opposite. That’s why the next verse is helpful.

Wisdom and discretion affect your walk

If people are not sure about this adornment you’re wearing, they cannot help but see how God’s wisdom and the discretion He provides through His Word impact the way you walk through the challenges of this life. When others are struggling at every turn and tripping over their own feet of bad decisions or indecision, the person who does not lose sight of sound wisdom and discretion stands out.

• He walks securely
• He does not stumble

We all know how hard it is to walk along a path that is full of limbs or roots that stretch across the way. You have to keep your eyes on the road, or you’re quickly stumbling and needing Band-Aids for your toes. Life is like such paths. We’re caught up short by the loss of a job, illness, or the death of a loved one. Social media and news can cause us to worry or stay at home due to fear of the future.

The person who keeps his eye on God’s wisdom and discretion is prepared for such trials and enabled by God’s Word and indwelling Spirit to navigate through the devastation and remain confident that he has not lost his way. People notice this. While they fall by the wayside and sit out the storms in fear, they look up to see Christ-followers pressing on in confidence and fearlessness; they only dream to possess.

But it’s not just about living and walking; this lifestyle also impacts our rest.

Wisdom and discretion affect your rest

This final verse is interesting because Solomon refers to lying down in two separate situations.

“If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet” (Prov. 3:24)

“If you lie down” seems to imply periods of temporary rest. You’re walking along a path in the forest. You’ve done well to avoid the pitfalls through wisdom and discretion, but you grow tired. It’s time to take a siesta to regain some strength for the journey, but you’re still in the forest, and there could be wild animals or even little critters that might hinder your sleep.

Solomon tells us that by relying on God’s wisdom and using discretion, we are alert to potential threats, know what precautions to take, and thus, can sleep without fear. This is the opposite for those who rush in foolishly and without discretion. They get exhausted, lie down anywhere, and suddenly, are taken by surprise attack. Not so the wise walker.

Secondly, Solomon uses a phrase to describe another form of rest. Our nightly routine of sleep. “When” you sleep, the person of wisdom and discretion will have accomplished his daily tasks, done what he could do, and in leaving the rest to God, sweetly sleeps. If you are one who struggles with sleep, contemplate the things that you have failed to give over to the Lord. When we go to bed with worries and anxiety for things yet undone, we fail to sleep in the sweetness that comes with keeping our eyes on sound wisdom and discretion.

Are you experiencing life in the sound wisdom and discretion of the Lord? Are you adorned and set apart because of how you live by His Word? Are you experiencing the joy of confident walks with His wisdom and discretion to guide you? And finally, are you resting in the fearless and sweet sleep He gives?

Put on wisdom and discretion today. Find it in God’s Word.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start this Walking in Wisdom series from the beginning.