“Do not let your heart turn…” I just caught this as I read through chapter 7 today. Within the warnings about avoiding adulterous encounters, the teacher warns me not only to watch where my feet are going, but also my heart. My take on this? It won’t be a problem keeping my feet on the path if my heart’s not going there first. This is reminiscent of Proverbs 4:23 NIV, where he warns me to guard my heart above all else.
That means guarding my heart is most important.
In Proverbs 8:15-16 NIV, wisdom says “By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.” We may not see signs of this every day, but look at verses 22 and 23. “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old. I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.”
Rulers will come and go, but she has been around a long, long time. And she’s not going away.
by Kathy Sheldon Davis
kathysheldondavis.com 
I like the proverb you shared where it says a person is blessed who listens, watching and waiting for wisdom. It’s so worth waiting for!
I like the scripture you shared where the person is blessed who’s watching and waiting for wisdom. She’s worth waiting for! Thanks, Marie.
“Little knowing….” Proverbs 7-8
“Little knowing it will cost him his life”. (7:23)
When we blindly follow temptation into its fulfillment, we are like the foolish young man who followed the adultress “like an ox going to the slaughter”.
When we take ourselves out of the protection of God’s wisdom, and ignore the warning signs to reap the short-lived pleasures of sin, we unwittingly open ourselves up to the consequences, which can be permanent damage or even death.
Proverbs 8:33-36 say of wisdom,
“Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors,
Waiting at my doorway.
For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.
But whoever fails to find me harms himself;
All who hate me love death.”
Oh, Lord, keep me faithful to You! Help me to follow only You, and walk in the wisdom that You so freely give to Your children.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.