May 20, 2020
The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!
In Proverbs chapter 3 Solomon continues to give his son advice for wise living. He instructs him to acknowledge the Lord in all his ways, and reminds him of the value of gaining wisdom and of how it is the path to life.
Solomon also warns his son to treat others fairly and to do good to his neighbors rather than evil. Walking in the wisdom God gives means not only fearing and honoring Him, but relating to others in a way that acknowledges him too!
All of this is built off of Solomon’s instruction in verse 5, to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Leaning on our own understanding leads to trouble, destruction, and death, but trusting in the Lord, fearing Him and turning away from evil, is the way of wisdom!
We have to lean into the fact that God, the One who created everything that exists and made it all to function the way it does, really does know more than we know and can see more than we see. This is an easy thing for us to assent to on an intellectual level, but an immensely difficult thing for us to actually live out! Trust Him and lean into His vast wisdom and understanding today!
Proverbs 3
Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels,
and 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 ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.
35 The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get disgrace.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
- How do our actions sometimes demonstrate that we really think we are smarter than God on a base level?
- How can we align ourselves with the truth and lean on His understanding rather than our own today?
Family Discussion Question:
- What does it mean to trust in the Lord rather than leaning on our own understanding? How can we make sure that we are trusting in him by following his way rather than doing only what seems right to us?
Gracias padre amado por tu misericordia gracias por tus bendiciones por tú compasión y amor por cada uno de nosotros tú nos creaste semejante a ti, pero no somos digno de tú amor somos pescadores, padre hoy venimos ante ti con un corazón humilde para que tú nos llene de tú poder con sabiduría humillados delante de tu presencia para ser guiado de tu Espíritu Santo no por nosotros, tú eres quien creo la tierra y todo el universo tú eres nuestro Rey padre celestial te entrego mi vida para que sea guiada con sabiduría por ti y la de mi familia y todas las personas que amamos a ti te damos gracias y honra por los siglos de los siglos en nombre y por amor de tú hijo amado amén ?
I love these verses especially verses5&6 as I have made those my life verses. When I put my full trust in Thee, you make things clear.
Amen Dan! Trust in the Lord, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Thank you, Sue! I can still recall every word of that beautiful hymn! It’s was sweet to sing it aloud in my devotional time. This song will be in my heart all day now, and that’s perfectly fine with me!
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]
3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]
Love that hymn!
One of my favorite old hymns. Thank you! Now I’ll be humming it all day & what a sweet way to meditate on & hide His Word in my heart .
I love that old hymn
Trust and be happy in the Lord. Trusting in the lord will help you through your life. Amen
Thank you for this clear guidance and faithfulness in all situations.
Thank you Lord for being available to me today, through your word, your son and your spirit, to help me live in a manner that is wise, blesses others and gives you honor. Thank you that when I fail, you will treat me like your son and reprove me because you love me, “as a father the son in whom he delights” (v. 12).
Edwardo, my prayer, also. Thank you .
Remember:
Knowledge is knowing what to do!
Understanding is knowing how to do it!
Wisdom is doing it!! Wisdom is the personal application of knowing the what and how.
Thank you Lord for speaking to us through the incredible words of Proverbs!!
Amen!
Amen!
Plan on sharing with my LG LG Sunday
Love that analysis! Thank you pastor Wade!
Love that Wade!
Thank you for this! Great descriptions!
Lord, I seek You. I pray for You to align me with Your will. It is challenging to yearn patiently, and often presents a fine line of options and understanding. Please help me keep focused on you, and illuminate my steps…in your time.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21
“Yearn patiently”. Nicely said.
Thanks Trisha❤
Oh Lord, Solomon tells his son that you reprove those whom you love. So, I’m thinking that you must love me an awful lot. In Revelations we are also reminded that you rebuke and discipline those whom you love. Revelations 3: 19-20. Please continue with your tough love and remind me to open the door when I hear your call so that you can come in and eat with me and I with you.
How can we align ourselves with the truth and lean on His understanding rather than our own today? In order to align myself with the truth today, I need to read God’s Word, meditate on it and store it in my heart. As I do this, I’m building a foundation upon which wisdom can be received and take root. His Word teaches me who He is, what His precepts are and how His ways are better than mine.
It’s a daily discipline.
I always notice that when I’m not in the Word, my soul feels like it’s missing something vital. God’s Word really is Living Water — the nourishment my soul needs to live a life filled with wisdom, peace and joy.
Thank you, Lord, that as we trust in You with all our hearts and seek You daily, You will show us the right path to take in life.
You are faithful and can be trusted.
In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Thank you Lord for giving us the gift of wisdom. I confess I lean on my own experience and education for my work. This sets me up for a day focused on my understanding instead of your divine ways and understanding. My prayer is that you be my good shepherd and keep my path straight. More than this Lord, receive the honor and glory from the work of my hands. May I always keep you first in my thoughts and understanding!
I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will NOT lean on my own understanding. I will acknowledge Him and He will make my paths straight.
Father, thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness towards me. I place my all and all in your hands. You are the master chess player. Move me always a step closer to heaven. Together, through the Holy Spirit, let’s go find one more for Jesus today! Amen
Thank You Father for these words of wisdom…to live by. Forgive us for thinking we know more than You and know how to handle life’s situations without coming to You first. I love You Lord. Amen
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for speaking to us through Your Word. As Pastor Wade said, it is the application of wisdom that shows our true faith. I know what I need to do with my life but so many times from fear I hold back and just wait. Please forgive me for leaning on my own understanding and not Yours. I have taught this verse to my children and grandchildren so many times, yet have not really heeded it myself. Forgive me, Lord. I know to trust and obey you, for there is no other way. My life will be fuller, richer and happier if I would just quit worrying about tomorrow and live for today. Thank you for my family and friends who keep lifting me up. But You Lord, are the One whom I truly depend on. You are my Light and my Salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Amen, Lord! You are our Light and Salvation.
Father thank you for the plain guidance in these verses. If I tried leaning on my own guidance, I don’t even want to think where I might be. (V5). Help me to always lean on You.
All,
Thanks to everyone as you all have done an excellent job in describing and explaining this Proverb. I thank God for each one of you and the clarity that he has allowed you all to pray and reveal. Thank you Jesus for a wonderful team and for giving them all your word and openness to share. You are an awesome God.
Wanda, I agree. It’s a blessing to be on this devotional journey with all who are here sharing and praying.
Adding my Amen to that Diane!
Thank you Lord for the words in this verse trust in the Lord with your Whole Heart!
Dear God help me to Trust in You with all my heart, and to lean not on my own understanding., help me to acknowledge you in all my ways and I thank you for making my paths straight
Thank you heavenly Father for showing me that trusting you with all my heart is the only way to a meaningful life and that seeking your wisdom, not the world’s, results in your blessings and peace.
Wisdom is a desire to obey God and do it His way. How on earth did Solomon, of all the tjingshecould have asked for, asked for wisdom. As I write I realize who his father was , Kong David my favourite bible character of all time apart from Jesus our Lord Himself. Why? !! Cos David loved and trusted God .Hedid tbongdHods way especially not following his human inclination for vengeance on h is enemies.
Yes He taught Solomon well and here we session I n yeachong his own son what he learnt from his father.
What a great example for us to follow. If we live the words of this Psalm , the outcome of our lives will indeed be on display for more than our children. Sinners will observe and wonder, unbelievers will ponder our lives and be converted to a more Godly way of life. Wisdom indeed is to obey God in every thing. In all our ways to acknowledge him. What will Jesus do???Grant us all wisdom dear Lord. AMEN!!!
Sorry so many typos I should be wise next time to check my writing. Sorry .
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We serve such a loving God. His Word is all we need to live a life full of joy and peace. Whenever I start thinking about how the COVID-19 situation has changed our lives so much, I remember Who is in control and I feel safe. Whatever happens, our God is in control. He tells us that in His Word. We are truly blessed to have this love letter from Him.
Trust & obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus But to trust & obey. That’s what we need & to ask for God’s wisdom to get us through each day>
“Have no fear of sudden disaster…for the LORD will be your confidence”
No matter what we face, as God’s children, we don’t have to muster up confidence and deny the presence of fear but instead “trust in the LORD with all of your heart” – from our weakness He is strong!!! No matter what disaster anyone faces in the Lord, we can know this is true “for the LORD will be your confidence”! We have a good, good Father!!
AMEN! Learned early to lean on Proverbs 3:5-6! God is good!
The Proverbs devotion begins each day with “As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise.” Please help me to understand why Proverbs are not a universally true promise.