The Perfect Accessory
March 5, 2021 by Carin LeRoy
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Carin LeRoy –
I received my first piece of jewelry from my grandparents when I was only five years old. One day they took me to the store to help me choose my first ring. I remember being so excited and admiring it on my hand. Over the years family members have given me other special gifts: the opal necklace my parents gave me on my 20th birthday, the diamond band from my husband on our 20th anniversary and the birthstone heart necklace that my children bought me one Mother’s Day. These gifts are special as I wear them to compliment my outfit or adorn my hand.
God has picked out the perfect accessory for us too. In Proverbs 3:21,22 He says, “Preserve sound judgment and discernment , do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.”
With all the characteristics God could choose, what makes these so important that He wants to emphasize our need for them? God desires for us to navigate life well, and that requires good judgment and discernment.
Judgment can be described as the ability to logically compare and understand the best results and outcome, and discernment is the skill to see and comprehend what is not obvious or evident in a given situation. Both of these help us make wise decisions. In a culture where wrong is only relative, the ability to make wise choices has become obscured. No longer is the firm foundation of God’s Word used in making wise choices.
Just as a necklace that adorns our neck is the first part of our wardrobe that people see, so, too, our sound judgment and discernment (or lack thereof) will be the first thing that people notice about us. God’s adornment of sound judgment and discernment give us a life with meaning – not a life with bad decisions and regret. Let’s remember to adorn ourselves with God’s perfect accessory.
PRAYER: Lord, give me sound judgment and discernment. As I make decisions, help me to have wisdom to make right choices for my life. Give me a heart that desires You to lead and guide me each day.
“My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared,” (Proverbs 3: 21-26 NIV).
Today's devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.
This is so good, Carin. And you are exactly right; judgment and discernment are key. I think they are the result of godly wisdom.
I appreciate what you said about choices. I write a newsletter (“Choices, Choices, Choices”) and will excerpt from this and connect to your post. Thanks for this motivating perspective today.
Choices in life are so important aren’t they? Thanks, Dawn, for your comments!