Answers. We all want them. Because life is complex and the problems it throws at us tend to make our heads spin.

Have you ever tried reconciling with a family member? Do you and your spouse disagree on parenting philosophy? Are you lonely and feel tempted to settle for less than God’s best in a husband or wife? These are just a few of the myriad complexities we face in life – complexities that will likely lead to our anguish if we don’t navigate them wisely.

The only answer is to drink in the wisdom of Proverbs by making the fear of God our must core value...by learning to view wisdom as our most cherished possession...and by cultivating a life of discretion.

The simple will reject this call. But the wise...

Some people think that Proverbs is a book of techniques or rituals on how to accumulate riches or find long life. We had better think again. The greatest treasure we can possess, the Book of Proverbs insists, is the fear of God – a treasure of limitless value. And we know we fear God when we are growing in the wisdom and discretion necessary to live in this world.

“Wisdom will save you.” These are King Solomon’s words to his son as he prepares the boy to rule Israel one day. Wisdom will save him from exploitative connivers, from disloyal “allies,” from the powerful lure of adultery and sexual deviance, and from political corruption.

It’s what wisdom gives which saves us: insight, understanding, the fear of the Lord, the knowledge of God, direction to walk “every good path,” a strong will, and affections for God. But we must reach out and take these gifts from God. “Accept my words,” Solomon tells his son. “Turn your ear…applying your heart,” he entreats him. “Search for it as for hidden treasure,” says the father who knows all too well how dark and tempting this world is.

He loves his son. He wants him to walk the path of life and not die. If we turn our ears to the wisdom of this book, we can also hear the echoes of a Father — the Lord God who loves us. He’s calling to us.

This Sunday our series Wisdom Cries Aloud continues. We'll be talking through Proverbs 4 and how we can have generational wisdom in seeing the good news of the gospel move forward.

There is a woman who is the loveliest of all. She is to be sought above all others. We are urged to gaze upon her beauty. In the Book of Proverbs, she is presented to us as Lady Wisdom.

She calls to us. She invites us to feast with her, to learn at her feet. She desires to show us the way of life everlasting. If only we will listen to her.

Who is Lady Wisdom? She’s a vivid picture of one of God’s profound attributes. She represents the glorious and bottomless knowledge and guidance of God the Father – knowledge and guidance He desires to give freely to all who yield to Him, listen to Him, and open their hearts to Him.