Understanding

?Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly. I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.? (Proverbs 8:14-17)

What is it that gathers counsel, listens to sound wisdom, is the power of a king's reign and a ruler's just decree? What is it that always blesses those who give it their love? What is found by those who seek?  It is nothing less than "understanding."

A favourite word of Solomon, it appears in many chapters of Proverbs.  All but one time it is simply translated as "understanding."  It is a noun whose verb form means "to be prudent" or "to perceive."  It is the word for wisdom, insight, discretion, consideration, and learning.

How often we are prone to speak before thinking, act before investigating, move forward even though the advice says otherwise.  How blessed we would be to become friends with a simple noun called "understanding."