Proverbs 3: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12, 18
1. My child, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 for length of days and years of life
and abundant welfare they will give you.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
11 My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves the one he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom,….
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called happy.
21 My child, do not let these escape from your sight:
keep sound wisdom and prudence,
22 and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
David wrote much of the poetry of Psalms but his son Solomon, considered by many as the wisest man who ever lived, recorded his wisdom in the book of Proverbs. Chapter three has some of the sayings we are encouraged to memorize and engrave on our memories. Solomon admonishes his son to seek wisdom above all else for it brings true security (v.21-35), it brings wealth (v.13-18), and is like a tree we brings happiness.
We don’t often equate happiness with trees. I would be more prone to think of sunny days, birds singing, falling in love, winning the lottery for some, or birth of a child. I have to think how might trees symbolize happiness.
I would sit in my back yard with my afternoon cup of coffee and because we were near the Mississippi River, trees lined the horizon in so many shades of green. I always marveled and remembered that God has a variety of ways to resolve the issues of the day. When a tornado swept through our city and upturned 1000 trees in 6 minutes, the whole world I looked out on changed and I realized how much their presence spoke of shade, of protection, of life and beauty – all qualities wisdom adds to our lives. Sidewalks were cracked with tree roots sticking up for quite a while. Trees remind me to make sure my faith has roots and draws from the living water we find in wisdom. Truly trees can speak to us of the wisdom of God that is worth striving after. Lord, may your word dwell richly in our hearts reminding us to reach up to you, depend on you for strength and protection, and remind us to put down roots deeply in your word. You give us life and keep us strong in storms. May we be happy inn you. Thank you.
On the Way to Wonder 