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Wisdom’s Value (Proverbs 3)
Proverbs 3 starts by emphasizing the importance of Scripture memory. We saw Jesus Christ model its importance when he was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness. His only defense was the Word of God, hidden in his heart.
Prosperity
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Proverbs 3:1-2
The Hebrew word for prosperity—shalom—has a broad meaning and includes the ideas of peace, wholeness, health, and harmony in life.
Solomon says that heeding wisdom yields a longer life, which comes from both God’s direct blessing and the fact that the wise avoid dangers in life.
Humble Wisdom
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. Proverbs 3:7
Wisdom is not a badge of superiority to be worn with pride, but a blanket of security that humbles the heart. Humble wisdom is the opposite of a holier-than-thou attitude.
Consider star athletes who are so full of themselves, they fail to reach their potential for lack of team support. In contrast, humble wisdom says, “I am a fellow learner of the Lord’s ways; I am a work in progress just like you.” God entrusts His wisdom to humble hearts, so be desperate for divine direction.
In Proverbs 3:34, we learn that God “mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.” If we want God’s favor, we must practice humble living.
Boyd Bailey, in Two Minutes in the Bible Through Proverbs, offers this prayer, “Heavenly Father, I bow in awe before You and ask for insight and direction. You are the author of all wisdom.” Submission to Christ and His commands squeezes out selfish, worldly wisdom and replaces it with the humble wisdom of heaven.
Honorable Wealth
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
The Bible says, “You may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth’” (Deuteronomy 8:17). Naturally, we are tempted to take credit for our success, honoring ourselves. Wise living says that we honor Him because He is the giver of all good things, the author of our abundance. As our estate grows, so should our honor of our heavenly Father.
Peace and contentment flow from wealth that honors the Lord, while fear and insecurity consume the heart that honors itself. The psalmist warned in Psalm 62:10, “If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.”
One way is to remain faithful and give Him the firstfruits of your fortune. Take care to honor Christ with generous giving, and He will take care of you. What you give now, you will have in abundance later.
This does not mean that we will be wealthy from the world’s perspective. Instead, we will have more than enough and learn like Paul “the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12).
Sweet Sleep
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24
Sweet sleep comes to a secure soul. A good night’s rest is a gift from God, ready for you to receive by faith. David, a man who faced many fears, confidently prayed, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
Christ uses a clear conscience to calm your emotions, settle your mind, and create sweet sleep. A clear conscience results from working through relational conflict. Simply talking through tension with a teachable heart releases anxieties and fears. A clear conscience that keeps short accounts will benefit in sweet sleep.
Wisdom’s Supremacy (Proverbs 4)
Solomon uses intimate terms to encourage us to pursue a relationship with Lady Wisdom. Practically speaking, we should seek the wisdom of God and want understanding of His Word (through the Bible and personal prayer connection) to walk in His ways.
Wise Guides
I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. Proverbs 4:11
God places wise guides in our lives to lead us in the way of wisdom. These are men and women with a touch of gray or a head full of fine silver—and discernment.
Prayerfully invite these wise guides, who are passionate about prayer, to go to God on your behalf. As you debrief together on what He is doing, your intimacy with the Lord and with each other will grow, and the wisest way for you to go will be marked more clearly.
Prayerful Perseverance
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18
When you persevere in prayer, the voices of worry will eventually go mute, and your Master will guide you onto a productive path. The Lord leads by the light of His love during dark days, so stay connected to Christ and people in prayer. This righteous resolve takes focus and hard work.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised (Hebrews 10:36).
Guard Your Heart
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
The word Solomon used for “heart” most commonly stands for “mind,” but it also represents emotions (Proverbs 15:15,30), the will (Proverbs 11:20 & 14:14), and the whole inner being.
A heart on guard for God deeply desires to love Him and obey His ways. There is a compelling call to follow Christ through the best and worst of circumstances.
A guarded inward man makes for a good outward man.