Proverbs: Ch. 3

Trusting in the Lord:

• Allow God to be Lord of your life: Honor Him All
• Wisdom grants us safety and longevity.

Proverbs 3: 1-4 His commandments keep us safe. Loyalty and kindness secure longevity. Remember King Solomon wrote this in a letter format to his son so he is speaking to his future child or child but we typically relate this to our “Father” who is in heaven speaking out us. It feels very correctional and instructional as a father would be. He tells us to tie loyalty and kindness around our neck, (aka wear it with pride.) You will earn favor with God and people if you keep these things close to your heart.

I feel like he highlights “and people” because people matter. Sometimes we like to think that “it’s just me and God” but God calls us to be in communion with other people, to love others and be kind.

Proverbs 3: 5-12 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” He is asking us to rely on Him and have faith in Him. Rely on His path and what he has planned for your life. From Proverbs One we dove into the idea that God is a good father and gave us a book of wisdom in order for us to not make these mistakes. He wants us to trust in Him even though the world is corrupt and full of evil.

“Do not depend on your own understanding.” Our own understanding can be described as our own opinion. What we think is best before we ask for His input or guidance. I believe that there are times where we feel like we know better than God or we feel like the plans we have for ourselves is better than what God intended for us. We should always ask God before pursuing anything in life.

God is healing. When we turn towards Him and away from evil we can find healing in our spirit. We can become sick from being cruel and evil to others.

Lean on Him in everything that we do. Do not be impressed with our own wisdom, do not be boastful in what you know. Trust in Him in everything, including friendships, relationships and finances, etc. Honor Him wit your wealth and everything you hold dear and He will return it back ten-fold.

The second sin ever committed was Cain and Abel in Genesis. Cain grew jealous of Abel because He was God’s favorite but in truth Abel was God’s favorite because he was producing his best and giving it to God where Cain was lackluster in his labors and did not care as deeply for what he was providing. God wants the best parts of us. He wants us to do our very best and do it for Him.

Allow this thought to enter your mind whenever you feel weary of work. Remind yourself that you are doing this for Him and those you care about.

3:11 Don’t reject the Lord’s discipline and don’t be upset when He corrects you because the Lord corrects those He loves. He doesn’t want your heart to harden over His correction, He wants you to grow in faith and grow closer to Him. We want to be more like Him and sanctify us.

Proverbs 3: 13-24 Wisdom pays better than gold does. King Solomon is writing this in a way that intrigues the reader. He compares wisdom to the riches of the world. To have wisdom is to have everything. When you have wisdom you are walking in a way that is safe and secure. Wisdom gives you the insight and intuition to do right. God is our advocate and He is calling on all of us to be present and to be here. You will find joy and happiness when you sit in wisdom and seek understanding.

Proverbs 3: 25-35 While you are in the valley of the wicked do not get trapped with them. Wicked means those who follow their flesh and the desires that come from that. God knows are hearts fully and even though we can fall into the ways of the wicked, our hearts can still be pure. The goal is to live for Him and become one with our heart and soul. God is our refuge. He will show us the path when we heed God’s word and follow his plan. Inherit honor and remain humble in your ways.