Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. (Proverbs 4:10-13)
Proverbs 4 is written from a father's perspective. He tells his son about the wisdom he has gained through his life and explains that if his son heeds his words, his life will be longer, better, and fuller. The goal should never be to simply live longer but to live a long life well.
The father then explained that if his son followed this advice, he would run and not stumble. Imagine running on a trail and feeling confident you won’t trip over anything. That’s what wisdom does for us—it gives us clarity and direction. Life will throw obstacles our way, but when we embrace our Heavenly Father’s wisdom, we’re better equipped to navigate those challenges.
The father finishes his discussion with the son by encouraging him to take fast hold of instruction. Wisdom is not a “get rich quick” scheme. It’s not something we hear once and then become massively successful. The only way for wisdom to make a difference is to grasp it tightly and keep it close.
When you read your Bible, you hear your Heavenly Father's instructions. You need to read with the mindset of searching for wisdom and not letting go. Search the Scriptures with effort and passion; when revelation hits, hold onto it tightly and don’t let go.
Practical Application
We are bombarded with opinions and distractions all day that contradict the wisdom found in God’s Word. It’s easy to be moved by these when we don't prioritize and seek wisdom from the Word. Get a notebook and write down what you have received from your time in the Word. Writing it down helps you solidify what you have received.