The doctor’s words were devastating. He kept a neutral expression as he explained to my husband, “Your mother has had a major bleed in her left frontal lobe.” My beloved mother-in-law was incapacitated, and we had to figure out the best way to help her. The doctor continued to explain her treatment options: she could undergo surgery to repair the bleed in her brain (which could kill her), or we could wait and do nothing (which might mean she would never regain the quality of life she desired).
Have you ever been called upon to make decisions you felt unqualified to make? Maybe, like me, your first inclination was to lean on your own understanding, only to find more questions instead of answers. Faced with the monumental task of selecting a treatment option, I began to understand that I needed to discern, not just decide. I had to take the information at hand, pair it with the Truth of God, and ask Him for Him to help us. I needed His wisdom.
“Know also that wisdom is like honey for you; If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 24:14 (NIV)
We’ve all heard the term “ignorance is bliss,” but scripture tells us that “wisdom is like honey.” In a moment when I was faced with a life-or-death decision, I was overwhelmed with information. As a nurse, I understood the risks of surgery all too well, and I knew she wouldn’t want to survive only to endure a life that wasn’t truly living. I didn’t need more information; I needed divine guidance.
Thankfully, that wisdom was at hand – right there in my Bible – a sweet gift just waiting to be discovered.
Wisdom is Like Honey:
“For the LORD gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)
My grandmother always kept a honey pot on her kitchen table. As a child, I eagerly looked for any excuse to open the jar and use the wooden wand to drizzle the amber treat over my food. Much like that honey pot, the Word of God is waiting for us to reach out and grab hold, and apply its sweetness to everything in our lives. Today, I want to share some of my grandmother’s wisdom and explore three ways honey mirrors the wisdom of God’s Word.
- Honey is Healing:
Modern science has shown honey to be antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. It’s no wonder ancient societies used it to treat infections and speed healing! Honey can heal the body, but the wisdom of the LORD heals our hearts and minds.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psalm 103:2-5 (ESV)
- Honey is Rich, Complex, and Made for You:
A honeybee flies about 55,000 miles, visiting two million flowers, to produce a single pound of honey. Those flowers influence the color, flavor profile, and composition of the honey. In this way, honey is shaped by the local environment and is particularly helpful to people suffering from allergies.
Similarly, the Word of God is both universal and deeply personal. When you seek the LORD through His Word, you invite the Holy Spirit to lead you to the wisdom you need.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
- Honey Protects and Nourishes Us:
Honey is known as the only food that contains all the substances necessary to sustain life. It acts as a preservative with an incredibly long shelf life. Archaeologists have even discovered edible honey in King Tut’s tomb!
The wisdom we gain from God’s Word similarly preserves and protects us. His Word nourishes and sustains us, directing our paths, correcting us when needed, and always reassuring us of our hope in Christ – a hope that can never be taken away.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” – Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)
When you find yourself felling lost or confused, remember that you have instructions from the One who loves you unconditionally. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NIV) Go forward this week with the confidence that the LORD will equip you with wisdom when you seek His Word. May we remember that wisdom, like honey, is a sweet gift indeed.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the sweet gift of Your Word. May it always be on our hearts and reflected in our actions so that we may shine Your light to all those in dark places.
Amen.
full post
