God Speaks
My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.
19 By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.
31 Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33 The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.
34 The Lord mocks the mockers
but is gracious to the humble.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame!
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: Proverbs chapter three continues the Father’s instruction to his child, with verses 5-7 being the key verses. This whole chapter also lists reasons or rewards for following a parent’s advice and obtaining wisdom.
Prayer: How might I pray regarding Proverbs 3?
Dear All-wise God, thank You for desiring for Your children to come to You to obtain wisdom for our lives here on earth. Your word says that if we lack wisdom, we should ask You and that You will give it freely without scolding or ridiculing us. Thank You for giving us the Scriptures so that we can learn to be wise instead of ignorant, foolish, or evil. May my heart keep Your commands. Help me to always be loyal and kind. So often I seek to find favor with other people; please help me first seek to find favor with You. Please help me to increasingly trust You instead of my own plans and purposes. Instead of being impressed with my own wisdom, may I fear You, LORD, and turn away from evil. I know that this will lead to physical, mental, and spiritual health. As I honor You with whatever wealth You give me, You will reward me in Your time and in Your way. Discipline me however You know is best, because I’m assured that You love and take delight in me. I take joy in the wisdom that You give me: it’s more valuable to me than gold, silver, or precious gems. There are many benefits of my pursuing Lady Wisdom. After all, You used wisdom as You created this wondrously vast yet intricate universe. Please help me to keep a firm grip on the common sense and discernment that come from You, because they will keep me out of much difficulty. Exercising them when interacting with other people will build me a good reputation and bring me the grace, honor, and blessing from You, LORD, that I so need and desire. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Proverbs 3?
- I will memorize Proverbs 3:5-7 so that I can live it out.
- I will ask the LORD how He wants me to honor Him with whatever wealth He gives me, then just do it.
- I will ask someone who knows scripture better than I, “How does the LORD discipline His children, and how should they respond?”
- I will make a list of at least five results of obtaining wisdom and/or at least three ways to do so.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.