Proverbs 24:13-14 (CEB)

13 My child, eat honey, for it is good.
    The honeycomb is sweet in your mouth.
14 Know that wisdom is like that for your whole being.
    If you find it, there is a future.
    Your hope won’t be cut off.


Reflection

When I hear the word honey, I remember reading Winnie the Pooh books to my children. Pooh bear’s day was not complete unless he had a “smackerel,” a taste of honey. There was no length he wouldn’t go to in order to find his sweet snack. He climbed heights, searching high and low, he fought off bees and constantly asked for honey. His happiest moments were finding and tasting his prize – sweet, sweet honey.

Like Pooh, we eat sweet honey as a food that is good for us. It nourishes us, and even has antibacterial properties to protect us. No wonder the parent in verse 13 tells his child to “eat honey, for it is good.” This wise parent uses the example of honey to teach their child that wisdom, like honey, is good for your whole being.

What is wisdom? Wisdom is understanding the right knowledge, and putting it to daily use, to live a life that honors God. Wisdom comes from God. We can ask God for wisdom and guidance concerning every part of our lives. What is this wisdom that is good for our whole being? In Proverbs 9:10a, the scripture tells us “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.” ‘Fear of the Lord’ means we have loving respect or reverence for God that comes from being in relationship with God, who loves us and saves us.

As children of God, we learn mutual trust as we grow in our relationship with God. We take everything in our lives to God, seeking the guidance of our Creator. We dedicate our lives to walk in the way that honors God and by following Christ’s commandment to love God and love others. When we follow the example of Jesus, the love of God transforms us. God’s wisdom gives us blessings for our whole being – right now and in hopes for the future. No matter what we may encounter, God will be with us, guiding us by the wisdom that is sweet as honey.

By Jeneene Reduker


For Pondering & Prayer

We need God’s wisdom now for all the global issues facing us. We need “whole being” wisdom that informs our hearts, our souls, and our minds. As children of God we need to seek God’s wisdom and pray for guidance.

What issues are you facing today in your life that you need to seek God’s “whole being” wisdom? Seek God’s sweet wisdom for your life that you can be filled with hope.

Prayer: God of Wisdom, we need to taste your sweet wisdom that is good for our whole being. We need your guidance to know how to act. We need your strength to follow the example of Jesus. Give us your wisdom that we may have hope for our future. Amen.