WOW another weekend is over.... thankfully today was spent outdoors, almost 100%! We did mounds of yard work outside, I went for a peaceful but very HOT run, and then we ended the day at the Pool (which BTW is still COLD!) We ended by ordering some pizza and watching soon cartoons - as a family! Oh how I love Sundays!
Today we look at Proverbs 3 - one of my all time favorite chapters and probably one of the most quoted chapters in the Bible. Let's read!
Proverbs 3
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.[b]
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
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 pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the LORD detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
My thoughts and take-aways: In these verses we are commanded to store God's commands not only in our hearts but to make them our ways of living. The Lord rewards those who are kind and loyal and detests evil among us. We are on the path of God's wisdom that he had given us through his WORD. God's reward for honoring him and his ways is healing and strength (vitality). The Lord disciplines those whose are HIS and whom he loves, just like a parent who disciplines their child. A wise person is kind to their neighbor, never intentionally doing harm, shunning or turning away from. Finally God commands us never to pick to a fight.
Well my thoughts are all over the place - my favorite verse in this chapter is 5 and that is because when I decided to walk away from my career and stay home I prayed this continually. I still pray this but the trusting will all my heart seems to be getting easier. As a parent I like verse11-12 since we are still working at the correct manner to discipline our children. Realizing that each child if different and needs different things can be a challenge. I lean on verse 26 to calm my nerves when Jeff isn't around and I start to "hear" things. What verses speak most to you and why?
Leave a comment on the blog!
Love to all!
M
This was so helpful to review tihs morning. So many great takeaways. An exercise in humility this morning as I remind myself that "long life, wealth, honor and peace" are not guarantees here on earth....of course, it is easy to get discouraged when you don't see the fruit right away from your wise choices. "I did what was right and wise - why not now Lord?" I push my FAITH. We will get these wonderful things, if not here on earth, most definitely when HE establishes his eternal Kingdom. I walk by faith and not be sight. Simple lesson, but for application always!
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