Taking a Look At Proverbs Three
Good morning, brothers and sisters. Today, we’re going to look at a passage from Proverbs 3:1–10. It’s familiar, but it’s packed with wisdom that speaks to our daily lives. It starts with these words:
“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.”
Now, Solomon is talking to us like a father would talk to his child. He’s saying, “Don’t forget what I’ve taught you. Keep God’s commandments in your heart.” This isn’t just about memorizing Scripture or following rules for the sake of it. No, it’s about living in a way that pleases God, because when we do, it brings us peace and blessing.
Let me break this down for you in plain terms. There are three things Solomon is asking us to do here: remember, love, and obey.
First, remember. He says, “Forget not my law.” Now, some folks like to say, “Oh, I just don’t have a good memory.” But let me tell you, we remember what matters to us. We remember birthdays, anniversaries, and the things we care about. So, if we struggle to remember God’s Word, maybe the problem isn’t our memory—it’s our attention. We’ve got to make time to read, study, and reflect on Scripture.
Second, love. Solomon says, “Let thine heart keep my commandments.” This isn’t just about checking off a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s about having a heart that loves God enough to want to obey Him. When you love someone, you don’t just follow their instructions begrudgingly—you do it joyfully because you care.
And third, obey. True obedience comes from the heart. It’s not just about outward actions but inward motives. God sees what’s in our hearts, and He wants us to follow Him not out of fear or obligation, but out of love and trust.
Now, Solomon gives us a reason to live this way:
“For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.”
He’s not promising that every godly person will live to be 100 years old. What he’s saying is that following God’s ways leads to a life of peace, health, and well-being. When we live with integrity, kindness, and self-control—when we avoid the sins that destroy our bodies and souls—it naturally leads to a healthier, happier life.
Mercy and Truth: The Essentials
Next, Solomon says:
“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.”
Here, he’s telling us to live with mercy and truth always. Mercy is about showing kindness and forgiveness to others, even when they don’t deserve it. Truth is about being honest, dependable, and faithful in all we do.
He says to “bind them about thy neck.” Think of it like wearing a necklace. Mercy and truth should be something that people see in you wherever you go. But don’t just wear them on the outside—write them on your heart. Let them be part of who you are.
And what’s the result?
“So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”
When you live with mercy and truth, you’ll find favor with both God and people. Even those who don’t share your faith will respect your character. People notice when you live with integrity and kindness, and they can’t help but admire it.
Trust in the Lord
Now, let’s move on to verses 5 and 6—they’re some of the most loved verses in the Bible:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
This is where the rubber meets the road, folks. Trusting God means letting go of our need to control everything and admitting that we don’t have all the answers.
We like to rely on our understanding, don’t we? We think we’ve got it all figured out. But Solomon reminds us that our knowledge is limited. God sees the big picture when we can only see a piece of the puzzle.
So, what do we do? We trust Him—not halfway, not with just a part of our lives, but with all our hearts. And when we acknowledge Him in everything we do—when we pray, seek His guidance, and submit to His will—He promises to direct our paths.
Humility and Healing
Verse 7 says:
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”
Pride is dangerous. When we think we’re wise in our own eyes, we stop depending on God. But Solomon tells us to fear the Lord—that is, to have a deep respect and reverence for Him—and to turn away from sin.
And look at the promise in verse 8:
“It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”
Living in humility and obedience brings health—not just to our souls but often to our bodies as well. Worry, stress, and guilt take a toll on us physically, but when we trust God and live according to His Word, it brings peace and healing.
Honoring God with What We Have
Finally, Solomon talks about honoring God with our possessions:
“Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”
This is about recognizing that everything we have comes from God. When we give back to Him—whether it’s through tithes, offerings, or acts of generosity—we’re honoring Him. And He promises to bless us in return.
Now, please don’t misunderstand me. This isn’t some prosperity gospel. God isn’t a vending machine where you put in a dollar and get ten back. But He does bless those who give with a cheerful heart. Sometimes that blessing is material, but often it’s spiritual—a more profound sense of joy, peace, and purpose.
Closing Thoughts
So, what’s the takeaway from all this? It’s simple:
- Remember God’s Word.
- Love and obey His commands.
- Live with mercy and truth.
- Trust Him completely.
- Turn from sin and walk in humility.
- Honor Him with what He’s given you.
If we do these things, we’ll experience the kind of life God wants for us—a life of peace, purpose, and blessing.
Let’s pray:
Lord, help us to trust You with all our hearts. Teach us to live with mercy and truth, to walk in humility, and to honor You in all we do. Thank You for Your promises and for the peace that comes from following You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
