I have been meditating on Proverbs 3 all week. There is so much in this one Proverb, written by Solomon. If we want to live a successful life, Proverbs 3 gives us the foundation for that. Verse 5 keeps ringing in my heart: Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Man, that is a powerful statement. I don't know about you, but I am the expert of my life. HA! If I look at the history of my life, I see strong faith, weak faith, all over the place faith. Thank God for his mercy. He loves me just the way I am, but is always working in me. When I think of trusting the Lord with all my heart, initially I say "YES, I can do this" "He is my God, He is my help, He is everything to me". And this voice in my head pops up "But how are you going to work this out, how are you going to get through this, how are YOU going to make it happen?" It takes a great deal of faith to let go and fall into the hands of God. I think of those ropes courses that were popular in the 90's for team building and other seminars where you have to "trust" your team members to catch you or hold you up if you can't go on. God is the ultimate team leader waiting to catch you if you should fall or hold you up when you feel defeated in life. Leaning on my own understanding or "trying to figure it all out on my own" does not bring anything but grief and worry. I have had to learn this lesson over and over and over and.... let's just say that the Lord has been faithful to me when I have not always been faithful to Him. I often try to figure my problems out before trying to go to the Lord in prayer. As I write this, I am encouraged to go to Him about things that I haven't yet. This is building my own faith, and I hope it is building yours as well. Trust in Him, don't lean on your own experience, understanding or knowledge! His ways are higher, He sees our past, present and future and He holds us in the palm of His hand! Thank you God for being so faithful. You are so good to me!
Proverbs 3 (NIV)
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.
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 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.
