January 10

For the Lord gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of His saints.
Proverbs 2:6-8

While the getting of wisdom is the dominant motif of all the Proverbs, it has been directly commended to us in the last few paragraphs. These three verses now leave no doubt as to the source and security of wisdom.

The Lord is the subject of every verb in this section (vv.6-8) and is singled out as the source of wisdom. God is the One who has all the wisdom there is to have and who gives whatever wisdom He chooses to give. "From His mouth come knowledge and understanding" and from nowhere else. It is His word that is a lamp and light (Psalm 119:105). His testimony is sure, making the simple wise (Psalm 19:7). His commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes (Psalm 18:8). So His revelation is the substance of any and all true apprehension.

As He is the source of wisdom for those who fear Him, He is also their security. He is the bank of wisdom, storing it up for the upright. This is an inexhaustible account of "sound," healthy, levelheaded, right wisdom. He is the defender of those who fear Him, shielding them as they walk in integrity. He protects what is right and fair while positioning Himself to care for His saints.

Verses 6-8 provide both direction and confident hopefulness. They direct us to the sure spring of wisdom - God, and steer us away from any other fountain. And for those who reverently submit themselves to this Sovereign there can be no greater freedom from fretting.