Monday's Moment

Proverbs 3:5-6

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Good morning - and a Marvelous Monday it is!

Thanks for joining me on Day 3 of Perusing the Proverbs. I am enjoying this trek through this book of the Bible, and I sincerely hope you are, too. There are so many treasures in the Word of God, a new one to be found every time we read from its pages.

Once again, Solomon opens this chapter with the salutation - "My son." I wonder how many people on this earth have a journal written by a parent with an opening to each page like that? Well, God inspired the words of the Bible to be written, so each time "My son" appears, we can take it as our very own salutation. "My son" (or "My daughter") - God had these letters written just for us!!! Sweet, isn't it?

Not long ago, I wrote about looking for word pictures in the Bible, and I have found quite a few in the book of Proverbs. Verse 3 of Chapter 3 holds instruction for binding mercy and truth around our necks, and writing them on our hearts. Every day, we need to put on a scarf of mercy and truth, securely fastened on our necks; then, write them on the chalkboard of our hearts, or maybe a dry erase board - only use permanent ink!!

The author of Proverbs strongly advises his son to trust in the Lord, to let the Lord direct him, and to seek after the Lord's wisdom and not his own. Once again, there is a reward in doing so. He will receive "health". He also instructs him in giving his firstfruits to the Lord with the blessing that follows of full barns and presses bursting with "new wine." If we want revival, we will honor God with our substance, and be givers!

There is a brief bit of instruction on receiving correction from the Lord, and this is something valuable for each individual, no matter how old we get. When the Lord corrects us, it is because of His great love for us; to help us and not hurt us.

And, we're still searching for the treasures of the Lord - wisdom and understanding, because when we find them, they are going to be worth more to us than any silver, gold, or rubies that we could ever hold in our natural hands. 

Another word picture is in verse 16. Imagine a woman standing with "length of days in her right hand", and in her left hand she holds "riches and honour." 

Solomon gives honor to the Lord as by His wisdom the world was created and established, and he repeats his advice of keeping "sound wisdom and discretion", in order to have grace, and to be kept safe. If the Lord's wisdom becomes our greatest treasure, we will walk safely and surely, we will rest well, and we need not fear the wicked. I love verse 26 - "For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken."

A few verses deal with our relationships with our neighbors - wise words for us to take to heart and live by.

At the end of this chapter, we find what I like to refer to as the negative and positive, or the pros and cons:

The froward are an abomination to the Lord BUT His secret is with the righteous.

The curse of the Lord is in the wicked man's house BUT the habitation of the just will be blessed.

Scorners are scorned by the Lord BUT He gives grace to the lowly (or humble).

Fools are promoted only to shame BUT the wise will inherit glory.

Have a blessed day, and may we apply these words from Proverbs to our every day lives!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing, have a Marvelous Monday!