(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)
(Proverbs 3:1-35)
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
But have your heart comply with my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and a good reputation
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord from your wealth,
And from the first of all your produce;
10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His rebuke,
12 For whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
Just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
13 Blessed is a person who finds wisdom,
And one who obtains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her produce better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels,
And nothing you desire compares 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,
And happy are those who hold on to her.
19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom,
He established the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge the ocean depths were burst open,
And the clouds drip with dew.
21 My son, see that they do not escape from your sight;
Comply with sound wisdom and discretion,
22 And they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely,
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 Do not be afraid of sudden danger,
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.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it to you,”
When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
30 Do not contend with a person for no reason,
If he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent person,
And do not choose any of his ways.
32 For the devious are an abomination to the Lord;
But He is intimate with the upright.
33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the righteous.
34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the needy.
35 The wise will inherit honor,
But fools increase dishonor.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
But have your heart comply with my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and a good reputation
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord from your wealth,
And from the first of all your produce;
10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His rebuke,
12 For whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
Just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
13 Blessed is a person who finds wisdom,
And one who obtains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her produce better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels,
And nothing you desire compares 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,
And happy are those who hold on to her.
19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom,
He established the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge the ocean depths were burst open,
And the clouds drip with dew.
21 My son, see that they do not escape from your sight;
Comply with sound wisdom and discretion,
22 And they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely,
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 Do not be afraid of sudden danger,
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.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it to you,”
When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
30 Do not contend with a person for no reason,
If he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent person,
And do not choose any of his ways.
32 For the devious are an abomination to the Lord;
But He is intimate with the upright.
33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the righteous.
34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the needy.
35 The wise will inherit honor,
But fools increase dishonor.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
Verse 3 tells us to keep kindness and truth together, and always have this with us!
I've heard too many people say, "I'm going to live and speak my own truth no matter what!" and/or "I'm just going to say it like I see it!" It doesn't matter how honest you are, if there isn't any kindness attached to it, people will get hurt, and things will go wrong. And when things do go wrong, a person will become defensive because their self-centered truths are called into question. Doing it our way with our own understanding can lead us into so much trouble because we have very limited knowledge.
In EVERYTHING, we can go to God for His wisdom, understanding and guidance. Add God's sincere and unconditional love to all of that - and this will bring us the Lord's peace and give us His confidence. And when we stray from living God's perfect truth, and receive a reprimand, we should be most grateful. Living in His will and truth is true success, and all of this is better than all the riches in the world.
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