The transcendent excellency divine wisdom
(James Smith, "Food for Hungry Souls")
"For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.
She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly!"
Proverbs 3:14-18
See the transcendent excellency divine wisdom.
Men desire health--but bodily health is only for a time.
Divine wisdom gives perpetual health, both of body and soul.
Men desire wealth--but riches are not forever.
Divine wisdom gives unsearchable riches--enduring riches!
Men desire life--but human life is brief.
Divine wisdom gives everlasting life, and life in perfection and interminable blessedness.
Men desire honor--but earthly honor is fading.
Divine wisdom confers the highest honors, associating us in the nearest relation with God, who is the source of all real honor.
Men desire pleasure--but what does earthly pleasure amount to?
Divine wisdom leads . . .
to rivers of pleasure,
to oceans of joy,
to fountains of purest delight!
Men desire fame--but fame among sinners, is but a puff of noisy breath.
Divine wisdom makes us famous, if not on earth--in Heaven; if not in time--in eternity!
If therefore we would possess health and wealth;
if we would live forever, and live forever in honor;
if we would enjoy endless pleasure, and shine among God's worthies
--then we must get wisdom! It is transcendently excellent, for all the world would not purchase it--though God freely gives it! Nor would the possession of the whole world make up for the loss of it--if we neglect and despise it. Nor would a world, or ten thousand worlds, make a man half so happy!
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom!" Proverbs 4:7