Scripture:
Proverbs 3:1-12 ESV
[1] 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 first fruits 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.I’m
Observation:
We have reached the book of Proverbs. A Book of Wisdom. It was written by a fitting source… Solomon. This is a man who didn’t ask the riches or gold, nor did he ask for fame and glory. However, he obtained those things, but he did it through wisdom. This book is the path to just that… wisdom. So, how do we get wisdom? What is the key? Let’s find out. Looking back at the beginning of this chapter, we see a plea for a son to pay attention to what the father is teaching him. It’s an honest heart cry. You can almost tell it’s from a position of someone who has been corrected. It’s like he is saying… please son listen I know from experience. If you listen to the LORD and follow HIS way, you will have a longer life. HE will keep you on a safe path. I see King David setting his son down and speaking to him now, Solomon. I need to you listen. Solomon, looking up with intent ok dad. Here I am. As David teaches his son all that he found out in life. Solomon grabs ahold of It. Be faithful in love. Don’t lean on what you know. Trust GOD, HE will make your path straight. Solomon, are you listening. Yes, dad. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t know that this is how it happened. But you can see how it could have been. Thus is what we do know. Solomon was promoted to ask for anything from GOD, and he asked for wisdom. To lead GOD’S people. Wisdom does not come from human understanding. It comes from GOD. Verses 5 and 6 are some of my favorites it’s hard not to get into the application here. I almost feel like the book of Proverbs speaks for itself. It’s a book that will guide you to right living.
Application:
I want to live right. I want my feet to be firmly planted on the path of righteousness. I want to build my house on the rock. Here is the problem when we lean on human understanding, we are on shakey ground. GOD and HIS words need to be the final authority in our lives. A little later in the book of Proverbs, we hear how all our ways SEEM right to us, but in the end, they lead to death. We can not lean on our own understanding. HIS ways have to be first. We will lead ourselves astray. In the world, we hear it said, follow your heart. Well, im not going to tell you that. It sounds right… but it’s not… follow GOD and HIS word. Give HIM your first fruits, and acknowledge HIM in all your way. Give HIM the ultimate authority in your life. Put that to the test and see if HE doesn’t fill your heart with joy and your house with all the needs you have. Give HIM everything, and HE will give you more. Do this for me and see how it works. Before you say or do anything, just ask the LORD if he would do it if HE were where you are. Then go to HIS word and see what HE tells you about it. Let me tell you, ever answer to every prayer you will ever pray is in GOD’S word. HIS word is the guiding light. If you follow it without taking it out of context, HE will make your path straight.
Prayer:
Father, we are yours you made us and you know what is best for us. We, as you today, just guide our paths to keep us on the straight and narrow path. Help us to find the answers that you have already given us in your word. We don’t want to lean on what we know because it has not ever put us where we are trying to go now. You ate the way you are the truth, and you are the life. Guide us father. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen