Shelf Life

(Proverbs 4:8 KJV)  Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

I am struck by the different words used in different translations.  The NASB says we are to “prize” (5549) wisdom.  The KJV says to “exalt” it.  Others say “value” (CEV), “take hold” (Douay) and “love” (Good News).  Any way you look at it, wisdom is to have a high place in our lives.

Unfortunately high places in our lives are often shelves that only get dusted at spring cleaning and then it is often by hired help.  The idea is that our respect should be reflected in our lives.  We have a Visa (or is it a MasterCard?) that we only use when a business won’t take Discover.  It only gets pulled out in a crisis.  Too often that is the way we look at the words God has given us.

So?  Don’t just talk respect, demonstrate it.  God’s principles are not designed to sit in a glass case with a sign saying, “Break in case of emergency.”  They should be the key on your ring that unlocks the door before you can drive away.