430. Monday after Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity.
Give us, O God, the true wisdom. Amen.
Proverbs 8, 10-17. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
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Should we not love wisdom, and follow it? Saint James says: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” A glorious promise! Yes; we will “seek wisdom as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures.” “She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is every one that retaineth her.” — If you wish to honor God and benefit man; if you wish to walk honestly in the light of day; if you wish to be blessed, and to be a blessing to others; you must seek wisdom of the Lord. These four things you will find helpful: 1) Consider how sorely you stand in need of wisdom, if you are to do your whole duty as a father, a mother, a magistrate, an employer, a servant, or, in short, in any position in which God has placed you. Woe to them that walk blindly! Woe to the fool, who gropes in darkness, and does not know what he is doing! Bear in mind also that the natural man cannot see the ways of the Lord. 2) Pray earnestly, persistently, and in faith; cling to the promise of God, and hold it up before him. “The Lord giveth wisdom; out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” 3) Live according to your catechism; and obey the word of God in all things, as far as your knowledge goes. Take heed unto yourself, that you walk in the paths of the Lord’s commandments. 4) Study the word with diligence, and keep it in your heart; ponder it, and do not forget it; make it a point, as far as possible, never to let a day pass on which you do not add a new passage to your store of Bible knowledge. — Observe these rules, neglecting none of them; so shall godliness and heavenly wisdom fill your soul. For you become “poor in spirit”; — and “are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Cor. 1, 30).
Help us, O God, to incline our ears unto wisdom, and to apply our hearts to understanding; that we may understand the fear of God, and find the knowledge of God. Amen.*
Almighty God, in humble prayer
To thee our souls we lift:
Do thou our waiting minds prepare
For thy most needful gift.
We ask for wisdom: — Lord, impart
The knowledge how to live;
A wise and understanding heart
To all before thee give.
The young remember thee in youth,
Before the evil day!
The old be guided by thy truth
In wisdom’s pleasant way!
[Church Book 466; listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.