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Day 10
Day 10 | Identify Author Intent
ACTIVITY
Your Call To Act (C.T.A.) today is:
- Pray out-loud for 1-minute prior to reading
- Read Proverbs 3 with this question in mind—"What does this author [King Solomon] want his people to know about God?"
- Pray out-loud for 4-minutes about the lesson you identified using the P.A.C.T. method
After you complete this feel free to comment on the lesson you identified from King Solomon.
PROVERBS 3
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.
TRANSCRIPT
Goal: Identify Author Intent
Fellas, we are now on week two and day ten. You are 30% there. Stay with it.
Today we are focusing on how to identify the author’s intent. Here’s what this means.
When reading scripture, we need to learn to read it differently. Most read the Bible just to try to get through it because reading it can feel like work—painful work. This is because its content is not like the content we read in articles, magazines, or in social media. The content we hear and read in contemporary culture is written to us, and thus its lessons are easier to identify. Basically, contemporary content requires low effort to read, identify, and apply. But the readings of scripture require a little more work to discover, therefore we have to turn on our attention and intention.
But here’s why it requires effort and intention—the Bible was not written to you. Now, this is a bit of an overstatement, but I want you to remember this point because it’s critical for identifying the truth in scripture. Let me say it this way, “the Bible was not written to you, but it was written for you.” Again, “the Bible was not written to you, but it was written for you.”
You see, the primary audience of the books we read in the Bible are the people to whom they were first written. The author had a particular intent for writing the book he wrote as he was writing to the people of his day. For example, when we read the book of Proverbs, the author, who is primarily King Solomon, would have been initially writing down wisdom for the nation of Israel. He was writing to them about the challenges they were facing in their time and lessons he was learning along the way about God. This means that the author’s intent is critical to identify. We need to figure out why the author was writing and what he wanted them to learn about God. Here is a question that will help you identify this:
What does this author want his people to know about God? Let me repeat it.
What does this author want his people to know about God?
This one question will help you approach and read scripture differently. It will help you to read with more intention, much like an investigator looking to identify the truth. You’re searching for the author’s intent and what he was trying to communicate about God. So today read this chapter with this question in mind.
What does this author want his people to know about God?
So today your activities are. Praying for a minute prior to reading scripture. Then read the scripture looking for the author's intent. And then when you’re done, I want you to focus your 4-minutes of prayer on this one topic—what truth you identified about God.
After you complete this feel free to comment on the lesson you identified from King Solomon.
DEVO
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.—Proverbs 3:5
Some days it's hard for us to trust, and there are always a variety of reasons. First, it could be that you have a lower capacity to trust, which is influenced by known or unknown thoughts, beliefs, and values. Second, it could be that you have unrealistic expectations needing specific evidence to create circumstances worthy of trust. Third, it could be you've had so many moments of distrust that tapes of mistrust repeatedly play in your mind. But there's a remedy for all these issues—it's a new object of trust.
The object of trust is never our capacity, expectations, or past mistrusts. The object of our trust is never our own understanding. The object of our trust is the Lord, and nothing else. So today, when hope fades, when faith falters, and when your trust hits that rational wall, stop turning to human confidence—in the end, all you're doing is trusting in yourself. Stop even trying to figure it out, because it may not be within your ability to understand. Instead, turn to God. In prayer, and ask the Lord for the trust you don't have, and invite Him to fill you with His understanding. Doing it this way keeps you from getting frustrated with yourself.
DO THIS: When trust is needed, turn to God, not your understanding.
PRAY THIS: God, honestly, I cannot figure this one out. My situation feels beyond my ability to understand. But God, I am going to lean on you and you alone. I know you get it, and I cannot not. Bring a solution to the challenges I am facing. And God, forgive my unbelief.
Share That You Completed Today's Challenge
TRUST in the LORD always!
Always acknowledge God and put Him first in your life. Listen to Him. Make your decisions based on His Word.
I work hard at putting God first in every thing
I need to get God’s Word into my heart
The Lord God of Israel must come first before anything else.
Honor the Lord, don’t forget His teachings,
Wisdom, freely given to us, yet beware to not believe in our own understanding… Pride… Apply wisdom to God’s work.
The author wants us to know that God’s ways, thoughts and timing are greater than ours. And we can trust God with all of those things and more!
God advises that following his path leads to a life of grace and peace v22: ” and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. v23 Then you will walk on your way securely.”
We should also pass on God’s grace a love through ourselves to our neighbors.
Fear and trust the Lord. Commit to his path of wisdom. Accept his corrections. This will lead to a full life on earth and in heaven.
I love Proverbs because the scriptures are so relevant in my life. They are timeless as Is Gods wisdom.
Solomon wants his readers to know the benefits of applying godly principles in their lives. He advises the reader to keep wisdom and understanding close to help guide how we act and respond.
Wisdom is so important and the people of that day understood this.
Done
BOOM ⚡️⚡️
Solomon admoinshes his son (and us if we take heed) to seek wisdom and common sense in all our dealings and activities. We see, today, the result of a lack of wisdom and common sense in some of those in authority—authority given by the people whom elected these leaders. I pray for a return to common sense in those people.
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
I seek to find peace like this that when I lie down my brain is able to trust in the provision of God.
I believe Solomon is trying to tell his people the importance of having God in your life and holding on to his word. I think he is trying to show them the ways God will work through us if we have God as the foundation we stand upon, and confide in Him, trusting His ways.
Seek the Lords wisdom and hold on to it.
A reminder of what could be a life verse for all of us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
I like how Solomon says that by keeping God’s commandments, peace will be added to you. For the number of days that He has already determined for me, if I follow, seek and treasure His commands, I will too find peace.
God will bless those who live in his wisdom and righteousness, the unrighteous will be cursed
Trust in the Lord and lean not onto your own understanding. Then the Lord will make your pathes STRAIGHT and you will prosper
I think he wants his people to know that walking with and trusting God is the only way to live a life of joy and peace. By God’s wisdom and understanding the earth was created. The wisdom of God is like a tree of life to those who take hold.
I like the mini posters and sayings.👍
“For you” not “to you” is helpful.
And different scriptures are more and less applicable to me depending on my stage of life and walk at that time.
Digging is important.
I am “with you.” 👊🏼
Trusting in the Lord and seeking His wisdom and holding on to his wisdom will keep us on track. God then responds to our trust with faithfulness to us, disciplining us when necessary but doing so because He loves us. When we trust in God our fears are kept at bay and we are kept safe under His watchful eye.
Keep Gods commands, Trust on God and not your own understanding, Honor & Wisdom
Trust in the lord and honor him for he is the one that has given you wisdom and knowledge.
My aim from this day onward is to trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not upon my own
understanding.
The Lord wants His people to know that He values wisdom that comes from Him and wants His people to seek wisdom. God also wants His people to know that He detests the perverse, but blesses the righteous.
(2/1/21) Proverbs Proverbs 3:5-6 The Passion Translation
“Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions.
With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go.”
I must abide in Christ and TRUST the Lord in every decision I make.
Joel,
I have never read that translation before. This is a fresh reading for me!
You will be rewarded by God if you follow his wisdom (i.e Trust). In some cases it may be riches in other it will be one of the fruits of the spirit. We are to rely on God Overall things will go better if you Trust in God.
That is right on. ⚡️ Let’s rely on Him today—together 👊🏼
The lesson about God in Proverbs 3 is that there is so much peace, joy, reward that comes from following and obeying Him. All the things we really want come from obedience to the Lord.
I like Proverbs 3 as well! 💥💥💥
Asking God to forgive my “unbelieve” is a powerful reminder that I still need help with my faith.
It seems that all things are pretty much strewn and scattered and never work out when I lean on my own understanding but by putting my trust in Him all things seem to work out for the good. I retire to the only place for the Wisdom I seek and find the guidance I need.
The version I have used in the past for memorization uses “acknowledge” instead of “submit” in Proverbs 3:6. I think “submit” calls us to action more strongly than “acknowledge”.
Proverbs 3 was deeply encouraging and convicting for me. I am quite good at “forgetting” the teaching and commands of God (1). And I often try to settle for keeping his commands in my actions, rather than in my heart (1). I was also deeply surprised at the simple command to “Let love…never leave you” (3). Is that how my children know me? A father who is always loving them and other people? I fear all too often I’m more of a cranky old badger who just wants them to behave themselves. I’m asking the Lord for mercy and help with that today.
Joshua— this is sooooo good. I was moved reading this! 👊🏼👊🏼
Trust God, obey His commandments because they are good and provide peace and prosperity.
Excellent. I love these words as well. ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Complete
Seek God’s wisdom, honor Him and be thankful for what we God has done for us. Be humble to those around us
Great scripture for today! Helps us to show love to our neighbors even when we don’t feel like it!
My hope comes from knowing that God’s goodness will always prevail.
Thank you for your comments, guys. The site won’t let me “like” them.
Love,submit,honor each other as Christ did for the church
1peter 3 :1-7
I think King David wanted with all his heart to look and see down the path of his lineage and give his descendants a Way to escape the failures he had experienced, and even more, a way to escape the consequences he had caused for them through his sin of disobedience and rebellion. I think at times he felt helpless to resist his weak flesh. I think when he wrote this he was hoping beyond hope that his descendants would find an escape from the inadvertent land mines he realized his actions placed in the path of his little ones. I think King David wondered if his kids would do as he did, or if they would find Life and do as (God) says. I think King David hoped, like I hope, that his children have tremendous Victory over the challenges where he himself experienced defeat. I think in his mind’s eye, he rejoiced to see the victorious seed of Christ coming down the pike ready to save me. Thank you Father God. Amen.
yes ⚡️⚡️⚡️
I feel the king is trying to say how good and great and awesome our God is, and we should desire him with all our heart
God delights in His children striving to live in wisdom and righteousness, even facing His discipline at times. Because He desires for all of us to delight in Him!
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
This tells me that even when I’m right about something it may not matter.
The question is whether I am being wise in God’s eyes in handling the situation.
Being right and being wise are not the same thing.
This scripture told me to remember that love and faithfulness gets you wisdom and love from God. Most times I feel myself getting caught up in trying to please other people in worldly means that do not have love and faithfulness attached. When you concentrate on loving and being faithful to God, the Love of people will come naturally. Amen.
What I see is not the pursuit of knowledge, but wisdom and understanding. I think of people that share that wisdom is knowledge applied at the right time with the right heart.
I’m praying for understanding and trying hard not to lean!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don’t rely on our own understanding. We are here to do God’s will and not our own. Be good and humble and he will give us a glimpse of his wisdom. When we make mistakes, there will be consequences, but don’t be upset or angry. It is all part of His teaching and will in order to help us become more wise and live more Godly lives.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
I love this picture of God disciplining and correcting us in Love! As I read the word of God and continue to pray, I feel Him gently and lovingly doing this. I think the author (King Solomon) wanted his people to realize that as they seek, and receive, Gods wisdom, it should come with correction and discipline in their lives.
As people, we tend to want to view situations with our judgmental lens and not through God’s. We want to shape and mold things around us to fit our own mindset or narrative. It is through seeing these through how God made them and how he working in them that we are able to gain wisdom and make better decisions that are according to his will.
Trust & Honor the Lord with ALL my heart !
Seek wisdom and understanding God will give us this if we ask.
I do not have to lean on my own understanding about life. God wants me to rely and to depend on his abilities. It’s just like a child that trust and count on their parent advice, wisdom and strength to help them.
To trust in the Lords ways and to not be conformed to evils and wickedness of the worlds wrong doings
To trust in the Lords ways and to not be conformed to evils and wickedness of the world!
The writer received Wisdom and Understanding from the LORD God and he was sharing it with his people Israel. That if we trust God with ALL our heart – and not our own opinions – and recognize that He (God) is present at all times to guide us along their / our spiritual journey – as we submit to His Word. As they / I trust God – He will not hold any good thing from them / me. Inner peace, good sleep, meets their / my needs. If they / I decide to go their / my own way – do not be surprised if God disciplines them / me. They should share the blessings that God gives to them with others. And they / I should NOT blame anyone else for the choices that they / I make. Its NOT their neighbors fault – Its a choice/decision that they / I made.
God is the Master Mind of the architect. I can lean and depend on his wisdom and although I may not fully understand his ways.
Prov 3:5 is my families key verse
Praying for all the folks that are hurting around this country. Fighting hate with more hate is not the answer. Love thy neighbor. The communities need to stand together and help one another
I have a hard time trusting in the Lord always. I try to control my destiny and have a hard time letti g go and letting God.
Understanding these truths at an early age sets you up for being able to handle difficulties of life with Godly wisdom and discernment!
I think the intent of the writer in this book is found in verse 2 where he says it will prolong your life. I think there’s evidence of wisdom at old age because it is wisdom that has kept them alive for so long (proving the text in this verse). God is faithful to his word.
Two verses that stick out:
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
Tithing has been a constant in my life and something my parents instilled in me from a young age. I have been faithful in doing my whole life, but I not consistent about when I give. I would like to work towards a more consistent/regular giving.
God must be number one at all times because if you are not actively seeking Him it is so easy to fall away from His path.
Prob 3, the author is saying…
Remember the Lord’s teaching (v1), love the Lord & be faithful (v2), trust in the Lord (v5), honor the Lord (v9), and the list goes on. The main point is that whatever we do, our focus should be on following Him. As we follow God, He pours out His blessings on us, not because He has to, but because He loves us.
I am a child of him and trust the path he is giving me completely. There is always growth and wisdom to be obtained from the knowledge he is providing me every day. A humbleness is achieved by listening to the word with open ears as I am greatful to live and learn from all the trials and tribulations looking at the cross and being blessed by what Jesus is doing for me. For this priceless gratitude is a gift I am prepared to accept one day at a time as I live in the Holy Spirit giving my life to Jesus Christ.
Great was Solomon’s love for Israel.
True quality of life lies in wisdom.
Solomon’s intent is to drive forward to the audience the importance of wisdom.With wisdom comes love,understanding and proper discernment.He insists that God is the source of wisdom and we should seek it rather than human understanding and our own understanding which is futile.
Wisdom is trusting the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding. Trust in Him. He will make my path straight. I can lay down and not be afraid and walk without stumbling as along as I trust in the Lord.
Give everything you’ve got to the Lord and He will in turn give you not only what you need but more than enough to share with others. Seek His wisdom and you will be in His will.
Always trust in God and know that no matter the disaster in our lives the Heavenly Father is with us. We are never alone!
Trust God first and not yourself
I learned to trust God because I can’t trust man or myself. When I did trust myself I caused shipwreck. So I don’t use this mind when things of importance must been done I go to God.
Man’s ways & God’s ways are dramatically different bringing different results. I can be independent & lean on my own understanding but this has harsh results. Or I can draw near to my Father acquire His wisdom & trust Him for daily decisions…resulting in life & healing. God is an awesome Father, always there, always good, always right.
Do not lean on your own wisdom or the wisdom of man for they will lead to poor choices. Lean on and seek God’s wisdom, for in His wisdom comes blessing beyond what we could hope for.
Look beyond “self” for guidance, protection, wisdom, life! Get me out of the way, trust in HIM, lean or HIM, and seek HIM in all I do, my thoughts, and say.
Solomon is telling us about wisdom and never turn your back on God because he is the only wise one,we aren’t even close.
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.
God is presented as caring Father who promises that following His ways lead to a fruitful and blessed life for those that not only listen but put it into practice. Rebellion against God will lead to destruction.
The author in speaking to his son to use God’s wisdom and knowledge for His good and he will be blessed in many ways. Listen and learn to what God is teaching and God will be with you through life and bless you.
interesting….his point about the bible being written to a group of people….but written FOR me.
In all things trust in the Lord, even when you are in the middle of trials and tribulations. Let his will be done. Follow his ways to assure your place in the Lords house.
one of my favorite books in the bible.
God is good to His servants, we need only trust in Him, praise Him, and lean not on our own understanding, but on His because HE created everything, so He understands everything, whereas, we, as men, do not and CANNOT understand everything until we are with Him in heaven.
Done
I think one of the keys he’s wanting to get across is found in vs. 11 & 12
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
We need God constantly in our life, not just every-once-in-a-whole. We need to live a Faith filled life and look to God for wisdom in everything we do.
The people are being encouraged to seek intimacy with their God. He is the source of all the attributes that are cited in this passage. Also, a note is that Solomon calls people to act when they know that there is good to do. Don’t hesitate men……..go and do for our Savior’s glory.
Can’t spell ‘disciple’ without discipline
Don’t despise it!!!
“Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil”
This is talking directly to me! I love being right, and letting others know I’m right (and I know it). It’s scary to ask God to make me humble, but it’s what I think I need.
Of course, even in asking for that, I realize that I’m telling God what to do in me! Instead, I want to submit so totally to Him that He’s free to do whatever needs to be done in me.
Finding wisdom. That seems to be a moving target with each subject. However, wisdom I believe is connected to love, mercy, and seeking understanding.
Men would you please pray for my little boy. He’s 21 months old and he’s been sick and coughing for almost 2 months now. Drs haven’t been able to figure out why they just keep saying he has a cold. He has the most trouble at night and doesn’t sleep well. I feel kind of helpless because nothing we do seems to help our little guy.
That almost sounds like it could be cystic fibrosis, or something similar, I would have the doc’s check for that, it’s basically a condition where mucus builds up on the lungs and mimics a cold, but it is not something anyone just gets over, it’s like diabetes, treatable, but not currently curable. And of course Tony, I will add your son to my prayer list. 🙂
I think Solomon is telling and teaching his people how to live a godly life and what that looks like to them.
The heart of wisdom is surrendering my own thoughts and feelings to His Truths.
God is faithful and his promises are abundant to those who Trusts in the Lord with all their Heart.
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.
Trust in God’s ways. So many blessings follow
Every day in my life I choose – to either trust in God, or myself. As the day unfolds, it is clear of the choice I made. If I desire to experience the love, joy, peace, and protection that God offers so freely, I need to choose to trust and obey Him every single day. The alternative choice is destruction for me.
In my opinion, the author reveals the guidelines for a life long relationship with the Father. The Blessings available to me/us if we are obedient to His ways. And warnings of what may be out there to pull me/us away from the love of our Father.
What comes to my mind for me is the experience of raising my own children, we load them up with the do’s and don’ts and try to equip them in order to have the best life possible. Also to be available to them in times of trouble, as the Lord is always available to help us.
This chapter is loaded with applications to make and promises to claim. Good counsel on how to enjoy long life, peace, prosperity, favor, good name, a clear path forward, health, nourishment, overflowing barns, safety, freedom from stumbling, freedom from fear, and sweet and restful sleep.
Piggybacking off of yesterday’s reading I have to lean on God and His understanding and not my limited understanding of what is going on and thinking that I am in control.
We need to only trust in him. All wisdom and knowledge comes from him.
Trust in God’s wisdom. Any other is a path to destruction.
“What does this author [King Solomon] want his people to know about God?” If we follow him, he will make our paths straight and nothing else can get to us.
God wants to share Hus wisdom with each one of us, all we have to do is submit all to Him and humbly accept it.
Wisdom and understanding were created by God. He is the author of both. Seeking His wisdom versus ours it what draws us closer to Him and enables us to live as he has designed and desires.
Seek the Lord’s will in all that you do and he will show you which path to take.
More true words have never been written.
Trust God, not self.
Believing God and walking with Him brings long life and peace
Submitting yourself daily, which is always been hard for me to do but doing these lesson has been a huge help
I felt he was saying to me “trust me, I got this”
Show me God how to fully trust you in my daily walk.
Proverbs 3 has many concepts. We should gain wisdom, trust in God’s word above our own thinking, tithe, help others, not cheat, not wrongly attack. Blessings go with wisdom.
In all your ways know Jesus, know His character and He will direct our path.
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;
What a chapter. Everything I need to know about living a healthy life! Especially the need for wisdom!!
Teach people how to attain wisdom, discipline, and a prudent
life. How to do what is right, just, and fair in life.
Solomon is talking to those who probably have not committed completely to the Hebrew teachings, encouraging them to trust in God, to accept His true wisdom and, essentially, to invest in His ministry. This follows after the Pentateuch teachings, but before Malachi, so the first fruits instruction is a consistent segue.
I felt like Solomon was trying to impress on the people of Israel how important it is to learn and understand God because he opens this door to things that we cannot possibly imagine in our own limitations. When we don’t understand God, we limit what He is. Only by seeking and trusting him, are we able to tap into the vast and amazing power and glory that He holds to transform us and provide everything we need.
Follow what God tells you and you will gain wisdom and understanding everyday. God will watch over you and protect you, so trust that God knows what is best for you even when you can’t see the whole.picture as God does.
The verse about “your barns will be filled to over flowing” could mean “give of the best of your check book and your account will never be OVER DRAWN .” Oh how gracious our LORD is if only we humble ourselves before HIM and learn to obey.
Pray and ask for wisdom because we don’t have it. Rely on his understanding not our own. Giving it to him keeps things simple. Taking it back is the temptation and when we make things more difficult than necessary
It helps to be reminded that God has a p li an, but that it is my responsibility to step into it.
The common theme to me was knowledge vs self righteousness. To have wisdom that only comes from his understanding. As Christians, our lives are different, we are chosen, that also means his plans for us are in place. When we choose not to obey/follow, we chase our tail.
If we seek the wisdom of the world it will bring curse but if we seek his wisdom we will be blessed!
I like the exhortation to seek wisdom, to act with kindness and generosity. The promises of blessing when you seek God and wisdom are beautiful. May they be true of all who seek to put God first
“… in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:6. God is Holy and Worthy of all our submission and reverence. I struggle with totally submitting my mind to God, but the Word is convicting me to truly submit and surrender completely to God and receive His Wisdom!
We must remain in His Word daily. Like milk to a new born. Without it.
What a wonderful passage – Agreed, it is many times hard to trust whole hardheartedly in God but every time I do it not only makes me feel better but turns out FOR the better.
God is the source of wisdom and many many benefits come from wisdom. (Sound judgement, confidence, health, understanding of the heavens, discipline)
In theses days we men need the wisdom that only comes from God. Society tells us otherwise. God’s grace needs to be shared with everyone we come in contact with.
God wants His people to know that He is ever present, and He always has good for them. He wants us to follow His heart in every situation……
I can just feel the inspiration from God throughout the chapter. The author having such wisdom, received from God, gives us detailed benefits and warnings that I feel it comes from someone who’s experienced living both sides of wisdom…kinda like something we’d want to tell our kids. Trust in Jesus.
Following God is not always easy, but the rewards are endless.
Amen!!
I believe that Solomon is encouraging his people to live a righteous life, and to seek wisdom.
I can’t say that I found anything new today, but certainly a reminder of things I have known.
God wants us to be dependent on Him for all of our needs. If we seeks His wisdom we will be blessed.
I think Solomon’s overall intent was to make the people of Israel know and acknowledge that true wisdom is found in their total dependence on God.
Solomon is sharing many timeless lessons that he himself has likely learned through life experience, primarily ones that deal with humility and submitting to/honouring God with everything we have.
I think he’s trying to say that God is in control and we are not.
The author wants the people to know that Gods faithfulness and benevolence is a part of the gift of wisdom for those who seek it and live by the order wisdom directs.
Quite simply we’re human & He’s God. Trust in His plan & timing. This is hard.
My thought: God is the determiner of “right” and “best.” When we look to Him, we turn to what is right and best for us.
Starting a business really has its ups and downs, usually more down than ups. This message is one that I needed to hear and been wrestling with.
There are circumstances that are greatly out of my control and it has affected us financially to where I really have had my faith and trust challenged. 2019 was a tough year, recovering from the loss of a grandchild, helping to support our d daughter and son in law, aging parents, troubled kids & grandkid’s, a sick society and nothing going right with the business.
It has been long days, very little sleep and a lot of prayer.
The one thing I realize is that Good created me, not to harm, but for a purpose. He has shown His love for me, and get through the troubles, it appears He is silent and yet, I know He hears me and heard my cry.
I know He promises never to leave or forsake me, and I fully persuaded with that truth. My trust is off the charts, not because I am forced to, but because of His promises, I know at just the right time He will answer.
He holds the whole Universe in place, He protects us as He did in the freeway today from being involved in an accident.
I learned that even if He told me what He was doing, it wouldn’t make anything easier or change anything because He is fortifying that trust and pruning out of me, the non essentials that will hinder me from being all He wants me to be.
I praise Him for the wonderfully Father that He is and trust that He knows best, because it is certainly beyond me.
I learned that thinking about the problems don’t change anything, but walking in obedience and giving it up to Him. He has solutions I cannot even comprehend and a giver of god gifts. I am thankful, so thankful, for I know it’s a season and this too will pass.
In this proverb King Solomon, as the Lord speaks through him, he wants me to trust in the Lord always and He will take care of me always. It is filled with promises.
The concept of surrounding everything yet trusting completely sounds so easy and basic until we face that decision head on. Then doubt and pride and indecision enter our minds. The concept of submitting everything and trusting completely has really become a focus in my life.
Even as we are admonished to honor God, it is because He wants good things for us here & hereafter.
This reaffirms three words that have settled in my heart, soul and mind the last year or so… “Trust and obey”. King Solomon is telling his people by trusting and obeying his words from God that God will guide and protect their ways because of His great love for them.
I feel if I put all of my trust in the lords hands he will then in return give me all that he has to offer.
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.
This is probably one of my toughest struggles…
Determining how hard I should work at something as opposed to letting go and letting God.
I embody and respect a strong work ethic. (and I believe God does too)
So how do you know the difference between trying too hard yourself and God helping/directing you to try hard?
King Solomon wanted to impress upon his people the importance of placing their trust, love and faith in God and the fruitful life they could hope for in so doing
Relying on God’s wisdom for me seems to yield less stress and anxiety, which in turn leads to a healthier mindset for me. When I try to rely on my own wisdom, it definitely has negative effects on my body and soul.
Looking at the past I can see God‘s wisdom and plan. How it worked out in his timing. Sometimes in the middle of situations I doubt God‘s wisdom and God‘s plan and need to use the past as a reminder when I am in the middle of seeking wisdom.
As long as we are faithfully living he will ensure we have all we need but he will punish us like a father would when we step out of line. Lean on him for understanding instead of our selves.
Following God and seeking after wisdom is the most important thing in our lives. Not only that, but we are promised great blessings when we make it an intentional choice to trust in the Lord.
Trusting God when we cannot understand things is very hard to do, but it is what we need to do.
Completed
Challenging finding time today. I stayed the course but it was difficult with all my distractions around me.
Love is the key. Wisdom is the door. Used together you can give freely and abundantly while watching for the traps others may set
Finding wisdom. That seems to be a moving target with each subject. However, wisdom I believe is connected to love, mercy, and seeking understanding.
The source of true wisdom is from God, who gives it freely! Applying His wisdom is the key to well being in our lives.
I’ve read proverbs probably more than any other book of the Bible. I absolutely still glean from the wisdom of these verses. I guess I would have to say that verse 28 reminds me how blessed I am and I need to be ready to help my neighbor, for I have been richly blessed.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;”
Proverbs 3:5 HCSB
Pursue God as the only thing that exists.
I have to trust in the Lord more an d not my own understanding. I think he is saying trust me
Relying on God as our source of wisdom, knowledge and direction. Our own efforts, no matter how good or wise, will ultimately fail. We can trust God.
Solomon wants his people to know that God is really looking out for them and wants nothing but the best for their lives. God wants them to be dependent on Him and not their own will by seeking ALL their needs from God. God is the source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, and it was through these three things He created everything and so they can trust Him for their well being. He is also a rewarder to those who walk in His ways.
Seek wisdom all the time, and be able to know I don’t know everything and to seek wisdom from others. Wisdom comes from many things and can at times not be easy to follow.
For me trusting in God is easy to say when things are going good but I know that I am really deceiving myself. I find myself trying to do things my way at times when life can be difficult because I do not want to wait on God’s time line so I try to create my own time line. What foolishness on my part.
For me this was the “Blueprint” to righteous living. With it’s rewards clearly stated as with it’s cautions for the unjust.
Thank you Mr Miller for being a vessel of Christ Jesus
4 daily reminders: LOVE-FAITHFULNESS-WISDOM-UNDERSTANDING.
To live a life of love, faithfulness, wisdom and understanding will result in a life well lived.
Seek out and hold onto wisdom and understanding, which comes from the Lord. Do not trust your own understanding. Do not get enamored by the wicked. Trust in the Lord and he will honor you, provide for you in abundance, and protect your life.
Be wise by God through you.
Not wise in your own understanding of it.
Proverbs 3:12- The Father delights in us, we are his, he is the perfect parent and loves us more than we love our own children. It’s also a nod to the New Testament and the doctrine of adoption into God’s family
God will write His laws upon the heart of His people if we will allow Him to.
I need to be pursing God’s wisdom and willing to submit to His commandments. If I do, His wisdom will bring life, peace and direction toward a long, fruitful life. His wisdom is to be applied to ALL areas of my life.
Trust in the Lord, submit to him in all things. We don’t know what the heck we’re doing when we do it on our own…He will guide us
I see Solomon reminding the people that God is with us, and many words of advice, that dwelling in Gods ways leads to good things.
God’s ways alone are greater than my own, is what I took away.
Trust, Honor, find Wisdom and gain Understanding.
Simply put – do it God’s way and God will bless that…do it your way, and good luck!
The entire reading was very fulfilling. One of my favorite ones so far. But 11 & 12 Reflects to me from recent life situations.
Solomon repeats the value of wisdom and understanding from God. If you trust first in God all other things will fall into place.
A great verse to live by. God first and give Him your best. Treat others better than yourself. Do not be selfish.
To trust in the LORD with all my heart… and not be anxious about anything, but pray to HIM. Phil 4:6
So much good stuff in this chapter! God wants good things for us, and His ways are the best ways!
I think Solomon wanted to communicate God’s rightful place of Lordship in our lives. He’s supposed to be acknowledged in all we do. What we do clearly matters and his inescapable sovereignty is demonstrated by the consequences of the actions we choose. We reap what we sow.
Father, help me to express your joy in my life from the wisdom you give me.
I see Solomon reminding the Israelite nation that God is and gives life.
Solomon wants us to know that God desires us and a relationship with us. We can show that by being generous and following his commands. The ways of the world lead to death but seeking God will lead to abundant life.
Trust and follow God for everything. He has nothing but good plans for us , free from harm.
Day 10-Chapter 3:
It really boils down to us trusting and keeping God’s commandments and then he generously provides us with long life, peace, healing, wisdom, our needs being met, protection and blessing. These attributes are the character and promise of God. That also sounds like a pretty good trade off to me. Not easy to always do, but when I can grasp that the God who made the heavens, who formed the earth, who balanced the universe to support life is caring enough to promise this to me…it gives me confidence to follow Him, because of HIS awesome power!
The lord our God must be at the center of everything we do. We must lean on his wisdom and instruction. Listen and obedient. Thank you Jesus for the revelation you gave me this.morning through Proverbs 3
God is a loving Father who wants the best for us at ALL times. He blesses us when when we put him first in all we do and he also chastens us when we disobey him…
God’s ways are better than mine. My best laid plans without God in mind are fruitless. Trust in his ways.
Men like to control the keys and be the captain mistakenly seeking God as their co-pilot, perhaps navigator for the journey. We need to turn over the keys, wheel and map to Jesus, i.e. total control and trust to our Lord and Saviour!
I have always had trust issues especially with God. I learned today that I’m not alone because it was obviously a problem for people thousands of years ago since Solomon wrote about it. I need to learn to rely less on my own understanding and seek God instead.
I think Solomon’s intent was to impress upon us dependence on God. Through out the chapter we see him repeating obedience to Gods way, and not our own. God’s way always has a good result, while ours for the most part does not
Seek & Trust in the Lord with all your might and wisdom will be your compass in living a righteous, fruitful life that will pour out to others.
How many times do we lean on our own understanding which is so limited & here we have available to us God’s wisdom if we ask & are faithful. A great reminder to seek His will in our lives.
Don’t let love and faithfulness ever leave me. Trust in the lord and submit to him
What I got from this chapter was that Solomon was trying to tell his people that God’s love, wisdom, and knowledge are more important than the riches of the world and that seeking them and living by those would not only gain you favor from the lord but would also prevent you from wanting anything and protect you from the evil of the world
Seek GOD out for all answers and direction in life
Lots here, bit the overall challenge toe that I am seeing is, pursue Godly wisdom and discretion above any earthly wisdom, for His wisdom and understanding are so much greater than mine and will bring about many blessings (life for the soul, beauty, security and safety, peace and rest, confidence, generosity, etc)
I don’t know if you guys have read the book One Word by John Gordon, but in it he talks about focusing on one word for the year. I actually haven’t read it but I’ve heard enough about it to choose one word for the year and that word is Trust. Proverbs 3:5-6 have become the verses for me to lean on daily. Gods plan is better than our plans. Trust in him with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path. Amen!! We’ve got this guys.
Good responses Brad / Mike. And thanks for the tip on the book. I too haven’t read it but Tina has done a word for the year, several times now, and there has been some definite healing / direction from God given.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
This passage stood out to me and spoke to my heart about something that I may be lacking at times, but is TRULY the answer for my troubles.
As I read Proverbs 3 I got a sense of desperation. King Solomon was not giving instruction here. He was pleading with others to turn their eyes to God. To walk straight and making themselves a clear path. I love chapter, as it resets my desire to focus. But then again, most of the book does that.
What a great way to start the day!!! Good morning to you all and may God bless you !
I think one of the things I realized is that we need to keep wisdom and next to us and with us all the time period without wisdom we will fall and be a fool. We are to treat other people with respect and honor at all times and no exceptions.
Me and my Dad did this together this morning and we feel that King Solomon wanted his readers to know that as long as you acknowledge God, and are humble, he will bless you and make your paths straight.
Loved this reading today. It spoke directly to a situation in my life.
God is loving and wants only the best for us. His cares for us are exacting like my cares my for my children. Following his heavenly path and not the path of this world is very difficult. The struggling between these two paths is very difficult, but God is always there loving us just I am always here for my children.
Follow God for good results; pursue evil at your own peril and destruction!
King Solomon being wise as he was understood that true wisdom and understanding only comes from God above and that in order to get thru this life successfully we need to chase after it more than anything else!
When we see the intent of the writer, we see that God wants to treat us like a father. He wants what’s best for us. Hee wants us to be close to him. He will bless us if we seek him.
God is good and can be trusted.
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.
God is telling me to to trust in Him; He is the way. If I fully submit to Him I will have peace.
I’ve always encouraged people to lean on Proverbs 3:5&5, but those verses have a lot more impact when I read again through the entire chapter.
I think the author of Proverbs 3 is telling his audience that God has each of His children’s best intentions at heart, if only we will share our decisions to be made and give our resources back to Him to manage.
And the sky…the earth and sky are visual reminders of the results of God’s wisdom in action.
The things we want in life (favor from God and people, guidance in life, health, prosperity) are all only accessible only through God. There are quick ways to some of this, but those here on earth, but only God can provide in this life and the next. When we remember his teachings, are faithful, and trusting, then we open the door for God to fully bless us with everything we need.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding, one of the most difficult to do. Seek wisdom and this understanding will provide clearer roads ahead.
In Proverbs 2 we were told If we seek God through the Word and ask for understanding, then we will gain wisdom and discernment that will protect us from the ways of the world. Today we are told that if we hold to this understanding and wisdom, then we will be greatly blessed. I believe verse 5 is the key though. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”
13 – 26 gave me insight on wisdom and understanding… and they will put me at ease if I allow them to manifest in me. Not “learning”, but like previously stated, “heart wisdom”. And I found 27 on to be a mini 10 commandments if you will…being a good and kind person.
Be faithful to his introduction for a good life on this earth
Trust in God. Do his will and you will receive life from death.
I read prov 3 as a father writing to a son who wants the best for him and I believe that is how God feels about me.
In verse 5 is talks about trusting with ALL my heart. I know the difference and I can tell what has happened and hasn’t happened since I started fully trusting God. It’s has changed my life and also how He is using me. Daily. Thank you Lord for your Word. It truly is LIFE to me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Wisdom comes from God. It is worth a lot! Seek it. Don’t lose it.
Verses 5 & 6 are two of my favorite and I can’t say it any better.
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 straight.
I see this passage as not only a reminder of the commandments but also how to follow them. Lead with love as Jesus tells us and ask for Wisdom(or Holy Spirit) as it is another gift from God to help us in the path. Be wary of taking credit or doing this on your own as it is not possible but all is possible if we surrender to the Lord.
Foe me it’s best to know what God expects of me in most situations and then try to attain to His standards the best I can !!
God is faithful to those who seek him and follow his guidance. Proverbs is the ultimate instruction book for how to live.
God blesses those who seek wisdom and confide in Him.
Our understanding of God’s wisdom requires us to trust and embrace His love for us. We can’t go it alone as we often attempt.
Study the Bible so that I might become wise.
Seek wisdom and understanding- but through God, not our flawed human lens.
So many good teachings in God’s word.
What I heard today was trust in God, not in yourself, for everything.
Solomon hit on several specifics in this passage, but I think he was really pressing subjects that we can’t fully understand. Knowing that wisdom comes from God and God has all knowledge, we need to trust Him for our safety, health, and relationships. Those are all things that we have always tried to understand, but no matter how much we learn, there is still more we don’t. The only way to truly gain understanding is to trust in God’s wisdom.
I just read Proverbs 3 in five different versions. Very confusing to me. The only thing I can ascertain is that I can gain knowledge through my own efforts, and then understanding from applying this knowledge after I learn it. Wisdom is a whole another thing. I think wisdom can only come from God. I need more wisdom in everything I do, and in everything I don’t do everyday. God, please give me more wisdom!!
Wow, so many lessons to choose from, but I’ll have to focus on v.7-8. Fearing God and turning away from evil has biological implications, positive or negative, depending on what you choose. Gotta keep rejecting seeing myself as wise, and rather, seeing God as wise.
Showing gods love and intentions for them. To trust in god for he will take care of them trust in gods wisdom
All we do in life, and whether it is done with wisdom, joy, generosity, freedom, will depend on if our security is in the Lord. These things flow from one who is secure in the Lord.
Good Stuff, brother. The true fountain of life… May it flow from Him, through us and to others back to Him. Amen.
To love and to be faithful to god/ jesus and those around me. To seek his word, listen for his spirit, to seek his knowledge and truth and not my own. To know that life comes from god and his word. To know as we do this that we will live a blessed life.
For god knows all and be one to listen. Trust in him for we have struggles of the world everyday and know we can’t do it with out him.
We must be submissive to the Lord and His will for us. We need to trust in Him completely, and not in the things of this world.
Proverbs 3 gives us additional benefits of Wisdom of the Lord. That by putting our trust in God, He will give us understanding and wisdom. By finding wisdom we will be blessed. Proverbs 3:13.
King Solomon lesson to me is that the LORD says, “My ways lead to life; the way it was originally intended from the beginning in the Garden; you can have that too today if you set your heart on Me.” You must seek wisdom, it doesn’t just come to you. Ask, seek, knock, it will be given to you!
12 The Lord reproves him whom he loves
I believe Solomon is emphasizing our need to pursue our Creator and not His creation. God’s wisdom established the foundations of our world and everything we can see hear and touch, so trust in and have faith in Our Lord.
Following and Trusting the Lord with help build your road of wisdom is what is received from the message and pray. God will prompt me to stay on the right path, when I follow his instruction.Going my own way will lead to allure.
When I look at verse 5 where Solomon records “Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart” I’m asking myself what is it that I’m withholding. Then I look at verse 25 where it says “when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” When I’m staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night I think I can start making a list of the things I’m withholding. You can have it all Lord!
What I did is after reading the entire chapter I went back and broke down down each verse into a simple word or phrase to help me understand what the author was getting at. Example; vs.1 memorize vs.2 that will make life easier in the long run. Vs.3 stay focused on God all the time. Vs.4 this is what truly will give you a good reputation. Vs.4 love is not always logical.
Trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not easy. We definitely spend more time trusting in the cares of the world that give us comfort. The wisdom in Proverbs and prayer helps me to realize this truth.
Trust in God through all things day to day , We don’t have to try and understand or figure it out ! Trust God’s plan for us all !
13 Faith and trust. Knowing that it is God where wisdom is found. How great thou art!
How much God loves them, and if you obey and love he will take care of you.
Speaking of God’s love and remembering to display his character qualities towards others always!! Simple yet profound!
Let love and faithfulness NEVER leave me. ‘Let’ sounds like there is some significant effort involved. Don’t let them score, let’s get this, let’s practice, let’s get married…even I let you down requires action from me, albeit bad actions / decisions. Today God is reminding me to hold tight to love and faithfulness, do not let worldly distractions loosen my grip on love and faithfulness. Stay strong or at least consistent and don’t let the devil win.
Wisdom and understanding, two very elusive things. Difficult to explain and sometimes part onto others.
Our God is a loving, caring God who wants to give us not just what we need every day, but the riches of heaven.
(Funny how I sang the song to proverbs 3:14-15 but it is really talking about wisdom. Hmmmm)
God has taught us the ways of the righteous and how to live. It is all what we choose to do with it. Do we follow or reject his teachings.
Verses 5 and 6 sum up Solomon’s intent nicely. A simple, but powerful message for all of us.
I believe King Solomon is reminding us of our need for complete dependence on God. Trying to figure this life out and navigate on our own would be impossible. We must rely on our Heavenly Father for His steadfast love and His faithful direction. We must also follow His model of how we treat other people.