Within chapters two, three and four of Proverbs you will be able to spot three assurances that wisdom gives to those that search for her. Chapter two assures us that wisdom will protect our path, in chapter three, wisdom will direct our path, and in chapter four, wisdom perfects our path.
Chapter two through four all begin with a warning to listen to God’s Word and take them to heart. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3: 5-6). The first nine verses of chapter two list eight commands for us to follow:
1. Receive (accept) God’s Word
2. Hide God’s Word in our hearts and mind (store them up)
3. Incline our ears so we can hear godly instruction
4. Apply our heart to understanding
5. Cry after knowledge
6. Lift up our voices for understanding
7. Seek for wisdom
8. Search for wisdom
To truly gain wisdom, you must listen to God attentively, obey His commands with a servant’s heart, ask Him sincerely and seek Him with all your being. You cannot obtain spiritual wisdom be haphazardly seeking it. Wisdom increases over a lifetime of diligently seeking it by digging deep into the Scriptures and prayer. By following God’s commands found in chapter 2 verses one through nine, the believer will be able to stay protected from the schemes of evil men. “He holds victory in store for the upright; he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones” Proverbs 2: 7-8).
Wisdom will also direct our path. The first condition that must be met in order to receive God’s guidance is that we learn God’s truth (vs. 1-4). The will of God for our lives is revealed within the Word of God and we must diligently study it and obey it. “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverb 3:6). The word “trust” in verse before it means “to lie helpless, facedown”. If we don’t put our trust fully in Christ we will start to lean on our own understanding (the little we have) and will miss God’s perfect will for our lives. Yes, God gives us our brains and He intends for us to use it. However, God doesn’t want us to depend on our own wisdom and experiences of ourselves or others. He wants us to depend on Him. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Another condition that must be met is we must share the first fruits of our labor (vs.9-10). If we do not live faithfully nor give faithfully unto the Lord then we do not fully trust the Lord. Our tithes and offering show evidence of our faith and obedience not a payment to receive blessings from God. The Christian is also to submit to God’s chastisements. “Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son” (Hebrews 12:6). God will only chastise us in love and never to hurt or harm us.
Finally, Wisdom will perfect our path. “But the path of the just is like the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (4:18). God has a purpose for each of His children. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Our path may not always be an easy one. There will be various trials and tribulations that we must face along the path but choosing to follow the path God has set before us will always be fulfilling. God perfects our path by “knowing God’s Word” (4:1-9), “trusting in God’s providence” (4: 10-19), and “obeying God’s will (4:20-27).
Memorize:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3: 5-6.
Dear Father I put my trust in You Lord. I put my hope in You. You alone can direct my paths, perfect my paths and keep me from evil. I devote myself today to learning Your ways and I pray You bless me with Your wisdom. Lord I will trust in You with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways Lord I want to acknowledge You and only You.
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