Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3:1-4:
My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
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Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight
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Part of total trust is not leaning on your understanding. To trust in the Lord with all your heart is to not trust in your own understanding. For Christians, wisdom is not just a lifeless set of principles or memorizing a few insightful proverbs. At the heart of wisdom is a relationship with the Lord.
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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Note we’re exhorted to trust in God not only with our minds, but also with our hearts.
Proverbs 28:14 states it another way: “Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” Like King David, we’re to cultivate “a heart after God.” The heart, according to the Bible, also is the seat of our motivations. Proverbs 17:3 declares, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart,” and Proverbs 21:2 adds, “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Yet another verse from the same book, Proverbs 4:23, offers this warning: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” We might paraphrase this to say, “Be careful about where we place our deepest affections, because those will impact the entirety of our lives.” -Bob Tamasy |
A lot of people go on dating sites looking to find someone instead of acknowledging God first and letting Him direct them what to do. After a series of dates, they try to convince themselves that they have found the right person, knowing all the time they deserve better. In such a time as this, they have to realize that God has someone better for them. They will be everything they’re looking for and everything they need in their lives. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6) KJV -Sherry Ivy; New Providence MB Church
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“He shall direct your paths.” It is rewarding to trust in the Lord and not ourselves. There is comfort not knowing the way ahead but knowing the one who does which makes the words of the song “The Unseen Hand” very personal. He will remove the obstacles from our pathway and bring us to His appointed goal. If we acknowledge Him, give Him the proper recognition of praise and attention to His word, then He will reward us according to His word guiding and directing us through life and this difficult time. -Hobbie McCreary; Grace Baptist Church
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Our propensity to trust in our own wisdom is often the reason we crash and burn. Let's acknowledge our need of God's wisdom and leadership today. He will lead us into our purpose. — Ken & Betty Eberly, Behold Your God Ministries
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We may never understand all the “whys” of unanswered prayers or prayers that are not answered as we desire, especially those that seem right and good as far as we can see. But God’s Word calls us to “walk by faith (in God) and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). We are instructed to "Trust in the Lord in all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make our path straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6). -Lisa Hannan
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In Acts 23:1 the apostle Paul states that he had always “lived in all good conscience before God”. This is the same man who had severely persecuted the Lord’s church. Acts 8:3 tells us, “He made havoc of the church, entering every house and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” Paul admitted, “I persecuted this way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.” (Acts 22: 4) When confronted by Christ, Paul was asked the question, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 26:14) How could Paul have done these terrible things with a good conscience toward God? It is a fact that his conscience was clear. Paul thought he was doing the right things, but he was wrong because he was acting on information that was not true. The conscience must be educated with truth, before it can function properly. -Shane Hoover
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For the better part of three weeks, ahead of another 14- or 15-hour day sitting inside Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Sharon Doornink would wake up early at her Yakima home and pack herself a light lunch – half a peanut butter sandwich and an apple most days.
That was enough to sustain her through the darkest days of her husband’s prolonged fight with COVID-19. That, and prayer. “Lots and lots of prayer,” Sharon said. There was one scripture she recited from memory to her husband, Dr. Dan Doornink, the Washington State University Hall of Fame running back and a stalwart Seahawks player in the 1980s, as he lay unconscious in intensive care. The verse, from Proverbs 3 (“Trust in the Lord with all your heart …”), had helped bring the couple together shortly after they met in biology class at Wapato (Washington) High School. Sharon was 14; Dan was 15. He gifted her a Bible and scribbled that verse on the inside cover. They’ve been practically inseparable in the 50 years since. -Adam Jude |
There have been many times along the way that my paths seemed more crooked than straight, but in retrospect I can see God knew exactly what He was doing, every step along the way. I love the promise He gave to the ancient Israelites – one we can also claim as believers today:
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile’” (Jeremiah 29:11-13). --Robert J Tamasy |
Moses was an example of one who feared the Lord and entrusted his life to the Lord. When he was in the presence of the Lord (Exodus 3) he hid his face. He was overwhelmed by the majesty of the Lord. The fear of the Lord gave him courage to confront Pharaoh and all Egypt; one man before the most powerful man and country.
We are told in Hebrews 11 that Moses valued the reproach of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Moses had a fear of the Lord, he loved and trusted the Lord, and consequently (and this is always the case) he willingly offered up his life to the Lord. -Rev Chris Shelton |
How often have we all decided abruptly to do something that later cost us more than it was worth? Instead of trusting God and getting there on a straight route with a brief interruption, I was going in a circle and wasting time.
The Israelites are a prime example of how we can waste time when we allow what we see to stop us from getting to our promised lands. Instead of trusting God, we can spend so much time wondering and wandering when we chose to take our lives into our own hands. The Israelites called out to God for help and God heard them. “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt,” (Exodus 3:7). -Dr Froswa Booker-Drew
The Israelites are a prime example of how we can waste time when we allow what we see to stop us from getting to our promised lands. Instead of trusting God, we can spend so much time wondering and wandering when we chose to take our lives into our own hands. The Israelites called out to God for help and God heard them. “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt,” (Exodus 3:7). -Dr Froswa Booker-Drew
Proverbs 3:7-18:
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand 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 take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand 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 take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
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Proverbs 3:19-22:
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; 20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes-- Keep sound wisdom and discretion; 22 So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. |
Some think self-confidence is great, but confidence in the LORD is greater. For what will you do when self is tired, weak, discouraged, dying, or facing impossible adversity? Some think self-defense is good, but the LORD’s defense is much better. The bravest and securest men in human history were those who put their trust in the LORD.
The context declared the LORD’s use of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, and the benefits men obtain by having them as well (Pr 3:19-22). Solomon then taught the security and peace that these blessings bring to those retaining them (Pr 3:23-25). In spite of what is happening in the world, those who put their trust in the LORD will be safe and saved. In fact, they can sweetly sleep when others are panicking and in trouble (Ps 4:8). --Let God Be True |
Proverbs 3:23-26:
23 Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
23 Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
Proverbs 3:27:
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Proverbs 3:28-33:
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
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Proverbs 3:34-35:
34 Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools |
Jesus clearly teaches that God honors humility and judges pride: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:12). Both James (4:6) and Peter (1 Pet. 5:5) quote from the Greek version of Proverbs 3:34: “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” As Christians, may we learn this valuable lesson to be “lowly and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:29).
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