Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good evening, dear ones.

I picked up Becki at the airport last evening. Glad to have her home again. Before departing that sad California situation, she said her final good bye to her beloved sister. Lorna is still lingering in a coma-like condition in a Pasadena hospital.

This coming week is looming as heavy with work. Every day the pile seems to get higher. I guess I’ll just do what I can do and see what happens.

Have a good night. Blessings on your week.

Love, Dad/Ray.

It makes sense that wisdom and prudence would dwell together like twin sisters. I just checked for synonyms for prudence, and wisdom was given as one of them—along with good judgment, common sense, and advisability.

The very next verse points to the source of wisdom and prudence—“The fear of the LORD.” That heart-level disposition is presented as having a twin too—the attitude of hating evil—hating any attitude or behavior that violates or interferes with maintaining a close relationship with God. After all, our relationship with God requires the compatibility of loving what He loves and hating what He hates. Godly Wisdom goes on to say, “I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13). Why? Because that kind of thinking and attitude is diametrically opposed to the most important and priceless relationship available to humans—friendly compatible relationship with God. It is so valuable that Wisdom advises, “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her” (vv. 10-12).

David is facing some tough times as he writes this section of Psalm 119. He describes enemies that persecute him and attempt to destroy him. But he maintains his equilibrium by seeking his Lord above all else—“My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word” (Psalm 119:81). That is an attitude displaying wisdom and prudence amidst suffering. David can’t control all his circumstances, but he can control his response to his circumstances.