Discover His heart: His wisdom protects our hearts and determines our course in life
“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!” (7) Deep. We probably won’t spend a lot of time dissecting and examining this statement. It says what it means, and it’s true. Solomon went on to advise that after we get wisdom, we should develop good judgment, not forget her, not forsake her, guard her with our lives, love her, embrace her and exalt her. (5-13) It’s interesting to note that wisdom is personified as a woman. That’s all I’m saying…it’s just interesting. That being said, following Solomon’s instructions will involve the commitment of our will, our emotions and our minds. In other words, our hearts must be committed in the process of getting wisdom.
The care and protection of our physical hearts get a lot of attention in the media today. As the list of what we should not eat to protect our hearts grows daily, the list of what we are permitted to eat is reduced to oatmeal, fish oil, fruits and vegetables – make a meal out of that, will you. Billions of dollars have been dedicated to research regarding the human heart, but Solomon had something completely different in mind when he wrote, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”(23)
While billions of dollars have not been spent researching the spiritual heart, we know from scripture that the heart is viewed as the center of spiritual life, involving our intelligence, our emotions, our will and our morality. Wherever these characteristics are focused, that is where our heart will be. Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:21) The Wisdom of Solomon and Jesus is really the only information we need in order to protect our spiritual hearts.
When asked what He considered to be the most important commandment of all time, Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Well, that about covers it – all. When we love the Lord with everything within us, there isn’t room to love those things in opposition to Him. We’ll follow Solomon’s advice, “Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.”(14-15) In the long run, it’s much easier, much wiser to resist sin at the very start than it is to fight its progress throughout our lives.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Solomon said we guard our hearts by protecting what we say, “Avoid all perverse talk,”(24) and Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart…For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” We guard our hearts by protecting where we look, “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.” (25) Eve’s downfall escalated when she looked where the enemy was tempting. And we guard our hearts by protecting where we go, “Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil.” (26-27) Solomon offered simple tools, full of wisdom, for protecting our spiritual hearts.
“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!” Deeper than we thought!
Moving Forward: While eating my oatmeal, fish oil and veggies today, I’ll guard my words, my focus and my steps to protect my spiritual heart. May I leave a legacy of wisdom to be passed on to my children and to my children’s children.
Tomorrow @ Ezekiel 1-6
Phyllis Benigas 