Pondering Proverbs

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. . . . Proverbs 24:3

A Japanese pastor who had worked with missionary friends for a number of years, gave them a beautiful bronze statue of hawks lifting off in flight. He had inherited it from his father, and he gave it to them as a farewell present when they returned to the United States. Now it is in a place of honour in their home in America, it stands as a rare and beautiful treasure that holds a flood of memories.

Our proverb for today teaches that the house of our lives is best built with wisdom, which comes from God. “Through understanding it is established,” and “through knowledge” provided by the one true God “its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

Jesus talks about a house like that in a parable about wise and foolish builders Matthew 7:24-27: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

With wisdom we build our lives on the solid rock of the love of God in Christ. The commands of God give us firm flooring, the protective arms of God are like walls keeping out the cold, and the Word of God is like windows letting in God’s light.

We all struggle to build a good life. Jesus and his good news are the keys to doing so. May we have heavenly wisdom each day to build our lives and to share God’s love with others.

O God, help us to build our lives with wisdom and to share your love and light in this world, remembering all you have done and that you are with us always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.