3:1-2 Proverbs reminds us to remember and keep God's law. That means we read and meditate on scripture every day of our life; for when we are continually submerged in God's word, we are less likely to listen to another's. The reward of keeping scripture close and alive in our lives is a good and peaceful life.
3:3-4 The only way we could ever lose mercy and truth is if we were the ones to let them go. Therefore God consistently reminds us to keep His word close to our hearts; He wants us to read attentively. The treasure we mine from scripture will cause God and the people around us to esteem for our patience and kindness, truth and wisdom. Because we glean all of those things from God; we cannot help but to grow in character when we spend time with Him.
3:5-6 We must work to develop trust in God. Like any relationship, trust is a process we undertake over time. Trust is important because it is through trust that we are led into the blessings we pray for. We must trust God's instructions and decisions, often rejecting our own or others' plans because we believe that His are smarter.
To trust God is to ensure that each day we make a way for God to speak to us. We must have an open line of communication, time in scripture, and the muting out of the distractions that have other ideas for us. We must ignore messages we receive from media sources about power and celebrity, wealth and revenge. Every thing we do has to reflect how our Father has told us to live. In doing so, we follow His path into the places He has prepared for us.
To trust God is to ensure that each day we make a way for God to speak to us. We must have an open line of communication, time in scripture, and the muting out of the distractions that have other ideas for us. We must ignore messages we receive from media sources about power and celebrity, wealth and revenge. Every thing we do has to reflect how our Father has told us to live. In doing so, we follow His path into the places He has prepared for us.
3:7-8 If we remain humble, and a constant student of God, we will avoid the mistakes of arrogance. Our reverence of God forces out the evil machinations of others. Evil is repelled by our strong relationship with God because God has promised it would be; therefore our best defense against our fears and enemies is love of our God. God's presence in our life is strength and protection.
3:9-10 God wishes for us to live compassionately; He wants us to share our time and resources and shoulders with the people in our lives who need them in order to become established or evade injustice. He asks us to love everybody, but to help the people who have nothing. Our blessings have the power to abound; we are given to in order that we may give.
3:11-12 Part of a strong relationship with God is to accept without annoyance His discipline. God corrects us so that we avoid mistakes that harm us and others. He corrects our path when He sees that we are headed toward a place that will harm us. And correction is difficult to be grateful for when we feel shame or guilt but it's important to accept those moments and then change.
We must remember in those times of difficulty that God only corrects us because He loves us. He only ever means to help us and to love us well and attentively.
We must remember in those times of difficulty that God only corrects us because He loves us. He only ever means to help us and to love us well and attentively.
3:13-17 Happiness saturates the life of a person receptive to God's instruction. With wisdom and understanding, we have a perspective of life and the world that is actually peaceful and productive. Purpose and plan help us have joy. God's children do not scour the world to "find themselves." Having found God, they know exactly who they are. And when we know who we are, children of a loving Father, we know that we are established and necessary in the fabric of life.
13:18 We are nourished throughout life, forever by God when we open ourselves to His instruction.
13:18 We are nourished throughout life, forever by God when we open ourselves to His instruction.
3:19-20 It was with knowledge, understanding and wisdom that God created the universe. His intelligence and precision is all around us; it only makes sense to welcome His brilliance into our lives. The work of His hands can do so much more than we ever could.
3:21-24 Proverbs urges us to keep God's wisdom so close to us that it becomes the fuel of our soul. The grace in our lives. God's instruction ensures we have a safe path and a sturdy purpose. We have peace to sleep and inspiration to wake when we allow God to love us... when we love Him.
3:25-26 We have courage and confidence in our God that transpires in our bodies and transforms our lives. God clears away the clutter and debris that choke and thwart and harm.
3:25-26 We have courage and confidence in our God that transpires in our bodies and transforms our lives. God clears away the clutter and debris that choke and thwart and harm.
3:27-30 We are taught to live justly among others. To be wise and fair and compassionate with whatever power and resource we have in our lives. We are told to be honest; to settle matters without deception or delay. We are taught not to create problems or stir up animosity. We must not plot against good people or good things. We are not supposed to create disagreements just to release our frustration or anger. We are supposed to love and protect others... most especially those who are innocent or dependent on us.
3:31-35 And while much of the world is envious of people who have a lot of power, wealthy or celebrity, obtained by dubious means, we are instructed not to be. God will provide more that we need and everything we want if we stick to His plan. We do not need to use others or succumb to poor or loud behavior to get the things or attention we think we need. God does not want us to let our desires transform us into ugly people. He does not want us to compromise our values or humility to gain the favor of others.
God thwarts the perverse but assists the upright. We have divine assistance when we live righteously, but we go against the current when we do not. We have wisdom that so many do not have because we have sought it from the one source, our Lord. Grace and glory and blessing are given to the righteous. Curse, scorn and shame are the inevitable landing zones of corrupt and foolish behavior.
God thwarts the perverse but assists the upright. We have divine assistance when we live righteously, but we go against the current when we do not. We have wisdom that so many do not have because we have sought it from the one source, our Lord. Grace and glory and blessing are given to the righteous. Curse, scorn and shame are the inevitable landing zones of corrupt and foolish behavior.
