Prov 2:7 – “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous:…” – Responsive Reading
“The expression ‘sound wisdom’ is used three times in the book of Proverbs; and it is, in fact, the only book in the Bible where we find it. This expression is translated from a Hebrew word, the meaning of which is ‘substance.’. . . The question arises, How are we to acquire this ‘sound wisdom’ which is true substance? . . . It is our divine inheritance from our Father-Mother God, which we must discern through spiritual vision and then claim as our own, in order to demonstrate, or make practical, this durable and lasting substance in our daily experience. . . . As this ‘sound wisdom’ is laid up for the righteous, we must understand what it means to be righteous. . . . . righteousness is, primarily, honest desire and right thinking . . . . hence the great need to watch our every thought and motive, to think in a constructive and not a destructive manner, thereby ‘casting down imaginations’ (or false reasonings) and bringing every thought into obedience to the one Mind. . . . Day by day, through the reflection of ‘the wisdom that is from above,’ we learn to discern between the real and the unreal, thus expanding our capacity to understand God” (CSS article entitled “Sound Wisdom” – 5/26/1923, Stella Briggs).
I am very grateful for Jeremy’s recent mention of the wonderful book entitled “The Ultimate Freedom,” which prompted me to re-read it this week. The author, John H. Wyndham, shares how he managed to stay alive under extreme conditions for days and weeks while in solitary confinement in a Java prison, and beyond, with nothing to read. The pivotal moment came when he prayed to be spared execution, and promised that he would live his life to serve God. “. . . this prayer brought an immediate and clear direction. As if someone had spoken the words, there came the command, ‘Control thought.’” Having read “Science and Health” previously, he recalled the instruction to “shut the door of our consciousness against evil suggestions in order that it may be open to the word of God.” He discerned that “controlling my thoughts meant praying. And praying . . . meant thinking truly, deeply, spiritually. From that moment, fearful suggestions, resentful suggestions, hateful suggestions were barred from entering my consciousness . . . . I absolutely refused to let them in. As these mental suggestions were kept out, divine thoughts began to flow into my consciousness. With a rusty old nail, I scratched the letters ‘C.T.’ on the wall of my cell as a constant reminder to control thought.”
This righteous man, Mr. Wyndham, certainly demonstrated “sound wisdom” to an inspiring degree! I have now posted a few notes around my home in big, bold, red letters, as MY constant reminder to “CONTROL THOUGHT!!” Thanks, Jeremy, for the reminder about this precious and instructive book! I have now mentioned it to my state’s Joint Institutional Committee as something extra to be shared with the inmates in local jails and state-wide prisons, which would surely be a blessing to many!