Nothing Compares

No Comparison!

Proverbs 3:13-26

Last Sunday we celebrated “Graduation Sunday.” We honored 19 of our graduates and prayed for them as they make important decisions about their futures. We all realize that the transition from high school to college is an important time in life. Young people have to make a decision about what college they want to attend, what career path they will take, what courses they will take to help them accomplish their goals, what kind of person they will choose for a mate, and what’s important to them in life.

When a young person leaves for college they will no longer have mom or dad present to give them moral guidance and boundaries. Mom and dad won’t be there to try and cut bad decisions off at the pass or to teach them discipline. Many young people look at this newfound freedom and think that they have arrived in Heaven at last. The truth of the matter is that with less influence and control from their parents young people have to spend much more time making some crucial decisions about what is important to them in life. Will they go to college and wreck their lives in loose living or will they go to college and by determination, dedication, perseverance, and prayer use the gifts God has given them to develop their character and walk in God’s purpose for their lives? Will they choose a career based upon how much they can make or will they base their decision upon prayer concerning what God desires for them to do? Will they choose a mate based strictly upon superficial, surface qualities like looks, personality, or popularity, or will they base their decision upon prayer and the character and spiritual commitment of the other person? These are important decisions that young people have to make. These are decisions that will help shape their future, either for the better or the worse.

It is not just young people who are faced with important decisions. We are all standing at the crossroads this morning and we must make some important decisions about our lives. What is important to you this morning? If you listen to society then you will quickly come to the conclusion that making money is important—the more you make the better off you will be. Another important item for many people is the pursuit of happiness. The general consensus is whatever you think will make you happy is what you need to pursue in life. There are so many things that make the “Top Ten” list of what is important to people and they are making great sacrifices in order to pursue them. The problem is that so many of the things that we consider as important are not important at all. Even more important is this: we need to be very careful what we pursue in life because it, or they, might very well destroy us.

Today, in our study of Proverbs, we will hear the wise counsel of the young boy’s parents once again. Let’s read our Scripture for this morning found in Proverbs 3:13-26.

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. 19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. (Proverbs 3:13-26 NIV)

The Scripture that we are studying today can be broken down into three sections. First, in verses 13-18 we read about the value of wisdom for all people. Secondly, in verses 19-20 we read about the value of wisdom to God as Creator. Last of all, we see in verses 21-26 the value of wisdom for the son. Let’s take a look at our first section and seek to learn about the value of wisdom for you and me.