Proverb 2:7

“he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,”

Our God has a stockpile of wisdom ready to distribute to the “upright”.

At first glance, this verse can be interpreted as a discriminatory gesture which contradicts the nature of a God-so-loved-the-WORLD kind of a diety. His gospel isn’t only for the upright, is it? I thought he came to save sinners, not just law-abiders. He did. Which, to me, suggests a cyclical paradigm that was created in such a way that we would learn to always turn to our provider, rather than muster up the strength to face another impossible day on our own.

Given the text, it seems as though you must have an upright disposition if you want to obtain wisdom. But how do you assume the character of an upright person without wisdom?

What comes first, the chicken (wisdom) or the egg (uprightness)? 

Let us not forget the encouraging promises of a gracious God who is eager to delve out healthy doses of abundant wisdom to those who ask (Matt 7:7 and James 1:5). We start the cycle by asking for our allotment from his reserve. 

When we approach Him in this manner, we communicate that we recognize our inherent and absolute need for his presence and provision. And he responds by entrusting wisdom to us. And as we learn to use that wisdom out of obedience, we learn to walk in an upright manner. Which brings us back to the first part of this verse which says that he stores up sound wisdom for those who do just that.

If you’re anything like me, though, you’re already worried about the times you will stumble. You foreshadow the things you will attempt on your own, and the times you wil forget to consult the distributor, or make use of the wisdom he has freely given. What then? 

Instead of anticipating where we will go wrong, the latter part of this scripture gives us freedom to rest in the safety of his divine protection. All I have to worry about is today. “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” we are told in Matt. 6:34. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things.”

I need not look beyond the next steps I take this day. Because if I can focus on making that single step with integrity, instead of overwhelming myself with the arduous journey of the future, He will shield my step and brace me before every fall. It is He who keeps me upright. 

All I have to do is keep my sights on Him.