PT-2 "Wisdom Directs Our Path" (Pr. 3:13-35)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 1/7/2013 1:30 PM

My Worship Time                                                    Focus:  Wisdom Directs Our Path (Pr.3) PT-2

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Proverbs 3:13-35

            Message of the verses:  Today we will look at the second sub-point that covers the remaining part of third chapter of Proverbs. 

Words of Wisdom from Turning Point:  “There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still”  (Corrie Ten Boom)  John 16:33, “"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.’”

            Blessings to enjoy (vv. 13-35):  We will break down further the remaining verses from this section so that it will be easier for us to understand the verses.  The first section Dr. Wiersbe entitles True wealth that comes from wisdom: (vv. 13-18):  “13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine 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 all who hold her fast.”

            We can see in these verses that wisdom is much more precious than gold or silver, for the things that come to you when you apply wisdom will last for you throughout eternity, but the things that you buy with silver or gold will all be burned up when this world is destroyed as seen in 2 Peter 3:10.  Now I am not saying that a person cannot do good things with the money that God entrusts him with, for the good things a person does with his money will be done because he has gained wisdom from the Lord through His Word.  I have heard that you cannot take it with you, but you can send it ahead so when you get to heaven you will have rewards. 

            Dr. Wiersbe in his wisdom points out “It’s good to have the things money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things money can’t buy.  What good is an expensive house if there’s no happy home within?  Happiness, pleasantness, and peace aren’t the guaranteed by-products of financial success, but they are guaranteed to the person who lives by God’s wisdom.”

            Harmony with God’s creation (Prov. 3:19-20):  “19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. 20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew.”

            We have seen this subject of creation come up a number of times in the book of Proverbs, and when we look at the creation that God created we have to know that God is the very source of wisdom.  One of the attributes of God is wisdom, so wisdom originates from the Lord.

 

This is My Father’s World

1.      This is my Father's world,

and to my listening ears

all nature sings, and round me rings

the music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world:

I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;

his hand the wonders wrought.

 

2.      This is my Father's world,

the birds their carols raise,

the morning light, the lily white,

declare their maker's praise.

This is my Father's world:

he shines in all that's fair;

in the rustling grass I hear him pass;

he speaks to me everywhere.

 

3.      This is my Father's world.

O let me ne'er forget

that though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world:

why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!

God reigns; let the earth be glad!

 

                   As we look at the lyrics to this song we can see that the writer to this hymn knew that God owns His creation and indeed “This is my Father’s World.

 

               The Father’s providential care (Prov. 3:21-26):  “21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22 So 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 fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; 26 For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.”

               Dr. Wiersbe has some great insight into these verses that I want to share:  “Because God directs our path, He is able to protect our path.  The Lord isn’t obligated to protect His children when they willfully go their own way.  They’re only tempting Him, and that a dangerous thing to do.

               “When you surrender yourself to God, every part of your body belongs to Him and will be protected by Him.”  As we look at verses 21-26 we see different parts of our body that are mentioned by Solomon.  The eyes are mentioned in verse 21, the neck in verse twenty-two.  The feet are mentioned in verses 23 and 26 which indicate which path we are to take, and that is the theme of chapter three of Proverbs.

               A positive relationship with others (Prov. 3:27-35):  “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," 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 man without cause, If he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy a man of violence 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 dwelling of the righteous. 34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. 35 The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.”

               I mentioned that the book of Proverbs is in the poetry section of the Bible and also mentioned that it is written in Hebrew poetry.  One of the aspects of Hebrew Poetry is seen in this section, and that is that the first line is opposite to the second line.  Look closely at verses 32-35 to see this in action.

               This section teaches that a wise Christian will get along with his neighbor, and will even be a blessing to them.  Think about what a believer possess through the grace of God that can be passed on to our unbelieving neighbors.  We possess the eternal Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by giving them the truths of the Gospel you can completely change their path, their direction that they are going in from an eternity in hell to one in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ.

               Spiritual meaning for my life today:  What I see in this third chapter of Proverbs is that I need wisdom, and the way that I find wisdom is to stay in the Word of God.  I need to stay on the right path as Proverbs 3:5-6 say, “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.”  I cannot deliberately go onto the wrong path and expect the Lord to bless me, so I need to stay in the Word to have the Lord direct my path.

 

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Stay in the Word especially in times of great temptation.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 121:1-4

               1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? 2  My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3  He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4  Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.

 

1/7/2013 2:51 PM