Thursday, July 22, 2010

Proverbs 3:1-20

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 humankind.

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.

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.

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 deeps were divided, 

and the clouds let drop the dew.


Questions to consider:
  • List the imperatives.
  • What results for those who keep wisdom’s commands?
  • How is wisdom related to daily living?
  • List the personal and public manifestations of wisdom.
  • What are the effects of wisdom and direction in your life? In what ways do they heal and refresh you?

Possibilities for prayer:

Verses 5 and 6 of this chapter probably seem familiar to most of us who have grown up in the church. But sometimes with really familiar passages, we lose the true, deep meaning because we’ve heard them so many times. Today, let’s think about what it would really look like to trust God with our WHOLE hearts and to submit to him in EVERYTHING. Let’s take some time to pray a prayer of trust and submission right now, handing everything in our lives over to God, who is worthy of that trust.