+I. There is a possibility of losing what has been attained.+ The injunction here given is not, as in chap. ii. 10, to seek wisdom, but as in verse 18 of this chapter, to keep a hold upon what has been already gotten. The Scriptures abound in such exhortations. Barnabas exhorted the Church at Antioch to "cleave unto the Lord," and he and Paul, when in Pisidian Antioch, persuaded the disciples "to _continue_ in the grace of God" (Acts xi. 23; xiii. 43). The word of Our Lord to the Church at Thyatira was "That which ye have hold fast till I come" (Rev. ii. 25). There is no safety but in continual watchfulness and in constant study of Divine precepts. "My son, let them not depart from thine eyes." A mariner may set out on his voyage with his vessel's head pointing in the right direction, but if he does not hourly keep consulting the compass, it will not avail him much that he started right. The Apostle speaks of men having "made shipwreck of faith and a good conscience" (1 Tim. i. 19). The world, the flesh, and the devil are cross currents and contrary winds which can only be met and overcome by constant, watchful reference to chart and compass. +II. The blessing which will result from "keeping wisdom," viz., Soul-life.+ As food and an observance of physical laws are the means by which the body is enabled to perform the functions which are natural to it, so a constant receiving of God's thoughts and an observance of God's laws will enable the soul--the spiritual man--to fulfil the end for which it was created--to glorify and enjoy God. Such a man has the assurance that he is under the special guardianship of God. All the subjects of this realm are under the protection of the monarch, but she has a special and personal care for her own children. So God is the "Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe" (1 Timothy iv. 10). This particular regard of God for those who have become His children, by falling in with His method of making the right with themselves and with Him, is guaranteed.--1. _In the ordinary events of life._ As the heirs of the monarch are always accompanied by those who count it an honour to serve them and, if needful, to protect them, so the heirs of salvation are ever attended by their body-guard, the angels who are "ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation" (Heb. i. 14). In the night not only do they encamp round about them that fear God (Psa. xxxiv. 7), but the Lord Himself is said to be their keeper (Psa. cxxi. 5). His peace "keeps (lit. _garrisons_) the heart" (Phil. iv. 7) and gives the sweet sleep promised in verse 24, even although outward circumstances may be apparently adverse (_see illustration_). This was the experience of David in the night of his adversity, even although he had brought it upon himself (Psa. iii. and iv). And the certain guidance which is promised in verse 6 insures an avoidance of all real danger (ver. 23). 2. _In times of special visitation_ (ver. 25).