Evening, May 5, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver… He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” — Proverbs 16:16,20

Wisdom is man’s true strength; and, under its guidance, he accomplishes best the culmination of his being. Wisely handling the matter of life gives to man the richest enjoyment, and presents the noblest occupation for his abilities; therefore, by it he finds good in the fullest sense. Without wisdom, man is as the wild ass’s colt, running here and there, wasting strength which might be profitably employed. Wisdom is the compass by which man is to steer across the trackless waste of life; without it he is a derelict vessel, the prey of winds and waves. A man must be prudent in such a world as this, or he will find no good, but be betrayed into countless troubles. The sojourner will sorely wound his feet among the briers of the woods of life if he does not pick his steps with the utmost caution. He who is in a wilderness infested with bands of robbers must handle matters wisely if he would journey safely. If, trained by the Great Teacher, we follow where he leads, we shall find good, even while in this dark abode; there are celestial fruits to be gathered this side of Eden’s gardens, and songs of paradise to be sung amid the groves of earth. But where shall this wisdom be found? Many have dreamed of it but have not possessed it. Where shall we learn it? Let us listen to the voice of the Lord, for he has declared the secret; he has revealed to the sons of men where true wisdom lies, and we have it in the text, “Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” The true way to handle a matter wisely is to trust in the Lord. This is the foolproof clue to the most intricate labyrinths of life; follow it and find eternal bliss. He who trusts in the Lord has a diploma for wisdom granted by inspiration: he is happy now, and he shall be happier above. Lord, in this sweet evening walk with me in the garden, and teach me the wisdom of faith.