Get Wisdom, part 3 of 3 - Proverbs 4:7-9

"She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty." Proverbs 4:9

Wisdom is showing us with wonderful gifts as we learn to value her highly.  The last two gifts are mentioned in this third verse.  Wisdom will put a garland of grace on our heads - as well as a crown of beauty. 

The garland of grace refers to a woven circular branch or vine that was worn on the head.  It was used as a symbol of honor and victory.  This garland is refered to as a garland of "grace."  Grace is the Hebrew word "hen" and it means favor, acceptance and was the primary word used to refer to the unmerited favor of God.  When we fully embrace wisdom and the practical way of carrying it out in understanding - God's favor and blessing will be seen upon our lives.  Over the years I've had the priviledge of knowing a number of very wise men - and can testify that you see the grace of God upon their lives and their works.  You want to be around them because of it - and because of the last thing wisdom promises.

She will present you with a crown of beauty.  A crown was a sign of royalty and honor.  The crown that wisdom places upon our heads is one of beauty.  The idea here is not that we will look hot if we gain wisdom - but rather that a spiritual beauty will be given to our lives.  Think about the fruit of the Spirit for just a moment in this context.  Wisdom will lead us to be filled with God's Spirit - which in turn will mean that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will be evident in our lives.  If you have ever known someone who sweetly manifested the fruit of God's Spirit in their lives consistently, you know that they have an amazing beauty that radiates from their hearts.  I've known young women whose outward beauty was far outshined by the beauty of Christ that shone from their hearts.  Even though they were not stikingly beautiful outwardly - those around them saw them that way - because of the beauty of Christ that radiated in their lives.  When we embrace wisdom and highly honor her in our lives - we receive a spiritual makeover that brings a level of beauty to our lives that no spa could ever match. 

Embrace wisdom - hold her in the highest esteem and honor.  Consider her worth more than gold and silver, rubies and diamonds, stocks and bonds - consider wisdom worth more than any other thing in your life!  This is the way to be blessed and beautified by God's grace.  So remember this - get wisdom - and as you are expending great energy and effort to do so - get the understanding to practically live that wisdom out in the world around you.  Based on the clear teaching of God's Word I can guarantee you that if you do this - you will never regret it!