There is never a day when wisdom will not be needed. Choices are made by each individual on a daily basis. As prayer is made for wisdom, a steadfastness must also be attained. It is not enough to just pray, but as we receive we must hold on to what the Lord has given to us.
"Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many." Proverbs 4:10, Amplified
Solomon is begging his child to receive what is being taught. I now as a child, I did not want to receive much of what my parents had to say. It was not that I knew it all, but the experience of doing it on my own was so enthralling. Independence is imbedded deep in the human heart, but independence and instruction are not necessarily terms that are not complimentary. I am going through the same thing with my daughter and son right now. Both of my children want to do everything on their own, but it is my heart's desire not to have them have to redo anything; work smarter not harder. No parent wants to sit and have to tell their children, "I told you so." If Instruction is received, a better quality of life is received because that instruction is coming from someone with knowledge and wisdom.
"I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have lead you in the ways of uprightness." Proverbs 4:11, Amplified
Solomon is qualifying his statement for his son to follow and receive his instruction; it is because he has lead his son toward God. If we are being led toward God, we should receive all that anyone has to give us. Being taught in the ways of God and how to walk in uprightness lead to better quality of life, therefore a longer life. Not only that, but Solomon is saying that he has offered up comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God. We are blessed with the ability to also receive that lesson plan as we read the book of Proverbs.
"When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered - your paths will be clear and open; and when you run you shall not stumble." Proverbs 4:12, Amplified
This is all spiritual allegory. Reading the Bible does not create for us a better cadence or a more even stride, but it does help us in our "walk" with the Lord. What this is in reference to is the journey that we are taking with the Lord and towards the upward calling in Christ. What Solomon is trying to convey is that our steps will be sure, there will be no doubt as we make decisions in our lives if wisdom is applied, and that wisdom is godly wisdom. I also believe that Solomon is making a reference to a girding of the loins. In this time, the men wore tunics which would make running very difficult. But if that same tunic was to be brought up between the legs and tucked into the belt, the legs of the man would then not be encumbered with the tunic; there would be nothing left to trip the man as he ran. Peter made reference to this same thing, "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming ourselves tot he former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." (I Peter 1:13-15, NKJV) This is what the wisdom that is being imparted to us will do for us if we lay hold of it.
"Take fast hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life." Proverbs 4:13, Amplified
It is funny what we deem important in life. We put insurance on our toys, priceless collections, homes, cars and lives, but are we placing that same kind of insurance into our spiritual life? If we put the same care into the insurance of our spirituality just imaging the quality of our walk. Wouldn't be nice to have an insurance agency that insured our spiritual walk? Just imagine calling (777) NEED-HIM and we reached an agent who gave us a policy number so that we could rest assured that our spirituality was insured. We already have; every time we open our Bibles to read or our mouths to pray we are reaching out to our Agent, Jesus Christ, who already gave us our policy, His blood. If we hold fast to that, then our life is insured.
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