AP

“Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, … She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.  By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; …”

Proverbs 3:13, 18-19

What Solomon only knew as a ‘concept’, a way of thinking, we can know as a living reality.  Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul tells us “My purpose is that [believers] may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3), and “For by [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17).

Similarly, the Apostle John writes, “In the beginning was the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4).

From all this we see that Solomon is actually foreshadowing the coming of JESUS: “Blessed is the man who finds JESUS, … HE is a tree of life to those who embrace HIM; those who lay hold of HIM will be blessed”, which is why John says, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. … Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -” (John 1:4, 12).  It is in JESUS ALONE where we find true and lasting blessedness.  “In Christ alone my hope is found; he is my light, my strength, my song; this cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.  What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!  My comforter, my all in all – here in the love of Christ I stand.” (Stuart Townend).

How important it is for us today, in a world which in itself has little joy-hope-security (blessedness) to offer, to share this Good News with those who have not ‘embraced’ it for themselves!  May the Lord GIVE us many opportunities to do this in our daily lives … along with the insight, strength and courage to recognise these opportunities and take them up whenever they come!