The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
Your life in Christ is a dawning light right now. There is a brightness and fullness of the light and life of God that is waiting for you when Christ returns that will make the sun’s light seem dim. Just keep walking and trusting. One day you will see Jesus as he is, and you will be like him (1 John 3:2-3). The beauty of Christ’s light dawning on that new creation will be beyond anything you can hope or imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9)!
Very few people will ever receive a crown of a kingdom in this life. In truth, I'd say there's basically no chance that you or I will. (I'm just guessing there are no kings or queens reading this!) Yet, there is a way for you to receive a crown, and it's a crown that lasts eternally. Eventually, King Charles' crown will no longer be on his head, and he will stand before God as a man, just like you and me. His only hope as he stands before the throne of God will be the righteousness of Jesus.
What kind of person does the Lord bring into his confidence? This is the person the Lord considers his friend, and there is no greater honor than being a friend of the Lord.
Wisdom is not just a set of abstract principles and metaphors. God's wisdom will lead you to do practical good for those around you. It will not only protect you and bless you, but it will also cause you to protect and bless others. As you humbly submit to God's word, God's word will work through you to express God's love, righteousness, justice, and equity (Proverbs 1:3) to your neighbor. You should never separate principle from action: they go hand-in-hand.
The lie you are tempted to believe is that this world offers real answers to these most basic needs. Even if a medication can prolong your life a little longer, death still awaits. Even if your financial plan is impeccable, your money can never be completely secure. And, even if a new flashy sports car makes you feel better about yourself, that feeling will fade. Wisdom offers you more. God's desire is that you may have life to the fullest extent possible. Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). This life is found in following Him. He is the good shepherd. As David sang, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters." (Psalm 23:1-2). The father speaking here in these verses in Proverbs is communicating the heart of God for you. "My son, if you listen to me, you will have what you really want. You will have life, security, and confidence. You will have what this world can never give you."
God wants you to be happy! If you think that sounds shallow or like a platitude, you are misinformed. These seven verses actually put your happiness at the forefront of why Proverbs was written. God wants you to find wisdom and live a happy life by his word.
This is a verse you should cling to and remember. If you are a son or daughter of God, your life will not always be easy because God loves you too much for that. He demonstrates his delight in you through his discipline.
It's amazing how following this firstfruits principle cuts the chord of greed in your heart. Greed and self-sufficiency are always lurking in the shadows. Everything in your flesh wants to feel secure and satisfied with the things of this world. So, each time you give the first and the best away, you hack back the encroaching thorns of the cares of this world that desire to choke the life out of you.
Trust in Christ with your whole heart! He is offering you refreshment and healing: he is offering you his very life. There is no wave of darkness, scheme of the enemy, plot of man, or sin that can overcome the boundary of his grace in your life. Come live in healing trust.