Proverbs 3
I would offer that the word love is not a verb, it is a noun. It is not a thing you do. It is the light that you are made of and what you were created to be.
Trusting in the Lord
1 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! (NLT)
insights
As the wise Solomon teaches his own son, he is fulfilling God’s instructions given in Deuteronomy 6:7-9. ‘Teach God’s law to your children. Talk about God’s law at home! Talk about it, when you travel! Talk about it, when you lie down! Talk about it, when you wake! Tie the words of God’s law on your hands! Tie the words about your head! Write God’s law on your doorposts and gates.’ By doing this he is living God’s law, not just talking about it. he is teaching his son to do the same. In other words we are to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Those within our circle of influence will recognize and respect us when our deeds speak louder than our words.
We must trust in God, and not our own pride or worldly knowledge. Keeping God in our thoughts will keep us centered in love, and making our day to day decisions from the perspective of love. In this attitude we can “plug in” to His guidance and stay on the path which is life.
Solomon teaches his son to trust in God, first and foremost, and with all his heart. Some people trust wealth, others trust governments, an still others trust luck or fate. These may fail us, but God never fails us. Some trust God, but not all the time, giving part of their lives to God, but pushing him out of other parts. He desires and is worthy to be Lord over our lives, at home, in the work place, on vacation, all of it.
The God who created heaven and earth desires to walk with you and lead you on the path that is life. He will provide for you, He will discipline you, He will delight in filling your life with abundance and joy. He knows the future and can see what lies ahead with every choice we might make. Wisdom then dictates that accepting His guidance will result in the best possible choices, leading us to the the most joyful and most fulfilling result.
We must honor God with the best we have to offer. The best of our time, our talents, and our wealth. All that we give to Him , and to honor Him, will be returned to us many times over.
Solomon was very wealthy, but he knew that true wealth is not money. Wisdom is worth far more than money. We can put our money in the bank and earn a little interest, we can hide it in our mattress for fear the banks may not remain solvent, but wisdom will yield a higher return than any bank or financial investment we may find. Wisdom can lead you where no financial advisor can take you.
David, Solomon’s father, wrote, ‘Even when death is near, you (God) are with me. So, I am not afraid. You guide and comfort me’ (Psalm 23:4). David felt the same discomforts we do when he was in danger, and he faced many dangers; but he trusted that God’s joy was in his spirit, and was able to face those dangers with courage rather than fear.
Wisdom is the foundation of creation. Wisdom will keep us safe, guide our steps, bring us peace, and keep us steady when temptation and danger lurk. It teaches us kindness and sensitivity, to help without delay when needed, to live in harmony with others, and to be humbled by God’s grace. Seeking and embracing wisdom, will be honored by God, but foolishness will result in shame and tie us to worldly discontent, rather than the abundant life God desires for us.
lynnibug
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