We want to spend time with Jesus, but we forget to set the alarm clock and oversleep instead of reading the Bible and praying. We know community is nurturing and supports us, but after a hard workday, we’re too tired to make it to group.
Conviction allows us to recognize when we’ve messed up and motivates us to do things differently moving forward. Guilt binds us down and convinces us we can never move forward. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit. Guilt is a tool of Satan.
Satan is crafty in his efforts to steal our joy and destroy our best intentions. That’s one reason Proverbs reminds us to remember the Lord’s teaching and His character: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 3:3).
Loving and faithful are the two most consistent ways God describes Himself. Of all of the things He would have us hold close and “write on the tablets of our heart,” it’s this: I still love you and I’m not leaving you.
When circumstances would cause us to give up, God tells us to remember who He is and to show those characteristics to others — including ourselves.
When we hear whispers that would pull us away from the Lord, we can have hope by simply remembering who loves us, who died for us and how many times He has already been faithful.
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Proverbs 3:2
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Proverbs 3:3
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Proverbs 3:4
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 3:8
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Proverbs 3:9
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Proverbs 3:10
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Proverbs 3:11
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
Proverbs 3:12
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
Proverbs 3:13
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Proverbs 3:14
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Proverbs 3:15
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Proverbs 3:16
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Proverbs 3:17
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Proverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Proverbs 3:19
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
Proverbs 3:20
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Proverbs 3:21
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Proverbs 3:22
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
Proverbs 3:23
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Proverbs 3:24
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Proverbs 3:25
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
Proverbs 3:26
For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:27
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Proverbs 3:28
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
Proverbs 3:29
Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
Proverbs 3:30
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Proverbs 3:31
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Proverbs 3:32
For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
Proverbs 3:33
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
Proverbs 3:34
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Proverbs 3:35
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
A Summary of Proverbs 3
3:1~12 God punishes those who stubbornly resist His mercy and refuse to follow His commands. But He promises abundant blessings to all who, in faith, receive His gracious love and salvation through the merits of Jesus Christ.
3:13~35 Solomon, parent and teacher, emphasizes the blessings God gives through the wisdom He imparts. These blessings include the treasures of peace, security, and confidence, apportioned to those who trust in the Lord for forgiveness, new life, and eternal salvation. The blessings of those possessing true wisdom contrast with the condemnation accorded those who resist and scorn God’s favor.
