Theme of the Week: Wisdom for the Ages
Bible Verse: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6 NKJV
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:1-35
Here are some speed-round questions for you. What is your favorite sport? Favorite team? Favorite holiday destination? Favorite movie or TV Series? Favorite food? Favorite coffee? How about one more?
How about a favorite verse or passage? What is your go-to passage? I have one that I’ve held on to since I was young. Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
It became my favorite when, as a young man, I was trying to figure out God’s will for my life; these verses became a source of meaning and guidance.
But this passage is much richer than a verse to pull out when we are desperate to make big decisions. The book of Proverbs is much more than a list of “fortune cookie” type wisdom. In Proverbs, we glean wisdom for life, and for our relationship with God and others.
The Old Testament books of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes are known as “wisdom literature” because the writers wrestled with life’s most difficult questions and gave practical advice for everyday living.
The author of much of Proverbs is Solomon, the son of David, to whom God gave great wisdom. If you’ve heard the idiom “as wise as Solomon,” it comes from his story and writings where we gain great insights.
The Hebrew word mashal is translated as “proverb,” but its basic meaning is “a comparison.” Many of Solomon’s proverbs are comparisons or contrasts to teach us important spiritual, relational, and life lessons.
In Proverbs, the words wise and wisdom are used at least 125 times! According to Warren Wiersbe, the aim of the book is to help us acquire and apply God’s wisdom to the decisions and activities of daily life. These proverbs, although no guarantee for success, are useful and helpful guides for life.1
This week we will look at just two verses to see what we can learn and how to apply it to become “wise guys.”
Prayer: Father, in all my questions and concerns, may I find true wisdom, may I find You to be my answer, and may I trust you wherever you lead. Amen.
Reflection: Where do you need wisdom today? What questions are you wrestling with that need some answers? This ancient literature will guide our thoughts on a journey of discovery this week. Meditate, memorize, and read them over again. Most importantly, let them read you.
1 Wiersbe, Warren W., Be Skillful (Proverbs): God’s Guidebook to Wise Living (The BE Series Commentary), Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996, 10.
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