Wise Up: Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3 (NIV)
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
Today for chapter 3 I chose not to focus on my life verse 3:5-6 and see what the overall chapter had to say. I saw it primarily focused on health and wealth. Who doesn’t want those blessings? Following Gods teachings and commands do the following: bring health to our bodies and prolong our lives, give us sound judgment, overflowing blessings, and balance to our lives. All of these are from a life dependent on Him, that eliminates our fear and worry. From all of this we will inherit a legacy of honor as an extra blessing. This is great news and a reason to live for our God, our creator, our provider and our Savior.
Since childhood, I have memorized Proverbs 3:4-5, and in difficult seasons that I have faced this one scripture surfaces to remind me that God is in control. It’s those moments when I’m able to take a deep breathe to regain my focus, my composure back to the one who I NEED to TRUST and not on me, my circumstances, or events at that moment…. But in the true and living Gid who cares about me!
Proverbs 3:5-6 has been my memory verse for years. During difficult times in my live I know God is always in control.
Trust in the Lord with all my heart.
I submit it all to you.
Proverbs 3-5 has been a key verse in so many areas in my life, but today vs 27, 28 jumped out at me. In acknowledging God in all ways (3-5), not withholding good to those whom it is due (27) seems to go hand and hand.
I’m struggling with the respecting my parents. I know it’s what is written in the word. My parents taught me what not to do. In my walk with God, in our marriage, with our children, infact I can’t think of a place they taught me the right way to live. I’ve struggled with this a lot. I’m not looking for absolution, I’m just trying to see if anyone has any insight.
I struggle with this too. Book club? https://shop.familylife.com/p-3553-the-forgotten-commandment-hardcover.aspx
Everytime I try to sit down and write them honoring words, the negative gets in the way. But God says to honor them, not just if they deserve it but because they are our parents. Hopefully this book will help me.
Thank you. I’ll check it out.