Wisdom in Proverbs
God gives wisdom to remind me I can be absolutely sure Christ straightens my path which leads to Him
Life is like a road trip over an unknown number of days from hospital to home, church, work, shop, recreation, celebrations to funerals and many experiences in between. We go uphill, downhill, flat earth straight
ways, curves, slow over speed
bumps, slippery slopes, broken ice—bypass dangers of getting stuck in sand, snow,
mud, roadblocks—on detours for times of repair and building up construction. Thankfully, we may give heavy baggage to the Lord and travel light!
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| Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 |
Proverbs 3:5-6
I am not required to understand every detail of every turn on the road trip, nor is it in my power to control traffic or timing
God’s humble wisdom provides everything good and needed—direction, forgiveness, safety, healing, and assurance in His Word. No one will be lost unless they reject the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s Peace Source (GPS) points to Jesus—the way, truth and life. In my weakness, I’m perfectly strengthened to live with protection of angels commanded to guard my ways until the Last Day. The Comforter mercifully reminds me when I am empty, steers me to repentance, fuels me with forgiveness, navigates to wayside rest. My Savior washes me clean, renews by grace and restores confidence to go forward. God provides faithful friends who are praying God-speed for me. Sermons and various audio snacks feed me reminders that, in the death of Jesus, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Jesus rose to life, lives within me, gives Himself for me to taste and digest in The Lord’s Supper. Trusting Christ’s work, my final eternal destination will be with Him, eternally rescued from from sin and its torturous consequences.
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“And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Proverbs 8:32-33 |
Proverbs 8:32-33
My Creator gave me ears and an amazing sense to listen, hear His instruction, not neglect His wisdom
Isn’t it wonderful that the God of the universe wants to communicate?! Praying out loud with others, group Bible studies, singing hymns, listening to sermons in person or video with my congregation as well as radio internet streaming and audio bible formats are designed to bless me habitually and actively encourage me to keep God’s ways. Along with other believers, I confess sin, meditate, pray—with thanksgiving—that the Holy Spirit will come upon me and give me desire to be faithful in the works that Christ has done in perfection for me.
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| A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 |
Proverbs 15:1
I pray
Oh Lord, harshness coming from another person does make me angry and sad, especially when it is spoken from an unmerciful, ungracious, ungrateful and confused heart. Thank You for understanding me even when my communication with another falls on deaf ears, is ignored and interpretation is twisted or responded to with degradation. Keep giving me kind, soft answers and fill me with Your patience. Protect my heart when others abuse me with bitterly cold words and actions. I wait for charitable, mutual understanding during each opportunity for conversation You provide. Encourage me during difficult times when others tempt, reject, threaten, blame and shame me. Thank You that You know truth and help me grow and shine among darkness and doubt in this world. Help me love and forgive others, in Jesus Name—just as You assure me of forgiveness, good purposes and promises. Amen.
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| A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:13 |
Proverbs 15:13a
My spirit is crushed; yet, I have hope!
Life is hard. Others express disappointment regarding their expectations of me. I can’t please them as I wanted and expected that I would. Everyone, including myself, falls short of the perfect people God designed and created us to be. I am sorry and sad when I see my own faults and inadequacies. The Bible teaches me that I’ve sinned, even in ways which I don’t even recognize in myself. I am thankful for the promise of hope in Jesus. This makes my heart glad—my face smiles, knowing Christ is near with His cheer, never will he leave me! Why should Cross and Trial Grieve me? (lyrics), (audio)
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| Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24 |
Proverbs 16:24
I pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I want to treat others with healthy, sweet, gracious words, thoughts and deeds. Thank you for sweetness for my soul and health for my body which You provide though Your Son and by placing me among gracious brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
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| The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27 |
Proverbs 17:27
I pray
Sovereign King, thank You for my brain, tact, insight, compassion and empathy for others going through challenging times. Increase patience for every process of Your plan for me. I am happy to be here sharing Good News. Amen.
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| Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 |
Proverbs 22:6
Trusting Jesus Christ is the way to the heavenly places He rules
I’m equipped in baptism. Mom lead prayers, devotions, read the Bible. Teachers filled me with knowledge and skills. Pastors and Christian friends encourage me in spiritual matters. By grace, I have been pulled back from straying, grown in faith to maturity; forever guided and sustained until my time in this broken world ends. Out of gratitude I seek opportunities God provides to share!
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| A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11 |
Proverbs 25:11
I pray
Lord, thank you for every person who communicates the authentic language of Your nourishing love. I appreciate the gifts of artistic talent You give Your dear ones to portray Your genuine mercy at the cross. Because You forknew fallen darkness in me and every person, You planned and carried out Your suffering, death and resurrection to save all who believe. Thank You for cleansing me from all sin—my own and those committed against me. Help me live in Your light to share the mercy and grace You have shown me. Amen. |
| One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23 |
Proverbs 29:23
Fallen human nature’s blind spot of arrogance, pride, and know-it-all attitude hides the truth that only God is omniscient, omnipotent and completely honorable.
Often, people blindly think salvation is accomplished by something good they do or by virtues they have. Such prideful attitudes as well as rude, grudge-holding behaviors and tendencies of entitlement, all lean on selfish power trips to domineer someone or manipulate a situation. Degrading ways infect and spread skepticism, sorrow, chaos, and confusion.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. Luke 6:41-42
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. Proverbs 21:4
We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Isaiah 64:6
Honestly, we cannot save ourselves no matter how much we think we can or how hard we try. Only Jesus saves us from our messes. He is worthy of our praise for His saving work! The Holy Spirit helps us show gratitude by leading us to use His gifts.
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| Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5 |
Proverbs 30:5
Beautiful Truth for all people!
God cares! We may trust that Jesus took all sins upon Himself in His perfect holiness to save mankind from hell. Christ hears prayers of humble repentance and intercedes to rescue and shield all who believe Scripture is entirely true. Healing, peace, joy and praise belong to those who fear God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. In thanksgiving for His blessings and promises, we strive to love our neighbor as ourselves as we look forward to the endless day with Jesus in perfection beyond imagination!
More on Proverbs of the Bible
Go deeper into the gift of God’s Proverbs
- Listen to or read 31 chapters in the Bible, book of Proverbs
- Listen to Issues Etc podcasts on The book of Proverbs with Pastor Jonathan Fisk
- Listen to Thy Strong Word hosted by Rev. William Weedon – Proverbs 16
- Listen to Thy Strong Word hosted by Rev. William Weedon – Proverbs 1 “The Beginning of Knowledge”
- Listen to KFUO various program archives on Proverbs
- Listen or read book Demystifying the Proverbs 31 Woman
- Listen or read book Provoking Proverbs: Wisdom and the Ten Commandments
