Have you ever read Proverbs 3? I mean, have you ever REALLY read this Proverb??? Well if you read the Bible with any regularity, you've probably read this one more than once. And I've read it more than once too. In fact, I've read it alot through the years but NOT like today. Today I read this Proverb three times, yes three times S-L-O-W-L-Y. Today, I was so-o drawn to this Proverb and to every single verse in it. I read each verse slowly, soaking in every word and I gave myself just enough time and space to pay attention to what I was thinking and what God might be trying to communicate to me through this Proverb. What a blessing and what a gift to experience this today.
My conclusion: This REALLY is a GREAT Proverb! And God is a GREAT God! This Proverb is too great and wonderful not to share. So that's why I'm here, blogging about it. It's brilliant and covers so much. These are great words to heed. And I can already tell that I will need more time soaking it in. My goal for this week is to continue reading Proverbs 3. Something in my spirit tells me that I've only experienced a glimpse of what God wants to reveal to me through this Proverb.
If you've been following my blog for a while now, you have probably already gathered that I love God, like alot. Yeah, I'm a pretty big fan. :o) And I super love His Word. One of my favorite things about reading God's Word is how a specific verse or how specific verses can jump out at me, speak to me, teach me, bless me, comfort me and encourage me right when I need it. Those are oh my gosh, AMAZING moments. I super LOVE those moments! The right verse at the right time is ALWAYS such a blessing and it's just one of the many ways God speaks to us.
Today, for the very first time, I'm experiencing an ENTIRE Proverb in ways I hadn't experienced before. I super loved every single minute I spent reading this Proverb. It's rich, so rich in content and the experience was rich. Rich, rich, rich! Can I say the word enough??? And I hope you'll read this one too. I hope you'll read it slowly, soaking in each verse. Today, I'm believing and praying it will bless every single person who reads this Proverb in rich and surprising ways.
Today, for the very first time, I'm experiencing an ENTIRE Proverb in ways I hadn't experienced before. I super loved every single minute I spent reading this Proverb. It's rich, so rich in content and the experience was rich. Rich, rich, rich! Can I say the word enough??? And I hope you'll read this one too. I hope you'll read it slowly, soaking in each verse. Today, I'm believing and praying it will bless every single person who reads this Proverb in rich and surprising ways.
1 My child, never forget
the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.
Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your
heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
7 Don’t be
impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your
wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
11 My child,
don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
13 Joyful is the
person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.
the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.
19 By wisdom the Lord founded the
earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
by understanding he created the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
21 My child,
don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27 Do not
withhold good from those who deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
when it’s in your power to help them.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
29 Don’t plot
harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.
for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.
31 Don’t envy
violent people
or copy their ways.
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.
or copy their ways.
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33 The Lord curses the
house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.
but he blesses the home of the upright.
34 The Lord mocks the
mockers
but is gracious to the humble.
but is gracious to the humble.
35 The wise
inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame!
but fools are put to shame!
