“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8
We often feel that we know better than the LORD God and His Word. However, the Scriptures admonish us not to be wise in our own eyes, but rather to fear and respect the LORD God, listen to His Word, repent of the sin and evil in our lives, and seek God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ’s innocent suffering and death in our stead. That will bring health to our bodies and strength to our bones.
O LORD God, Your Word is right, and I am wrong when I go my own way. Pardon my sin for the sake of Christ Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, and lead me to walk in accordance with Your holy Word. Amen.
“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
We are willing to trust the LORD when His Word coincides with our desires and thinking, but not so much when it doesn’t. True wisdom tells us to trust the LORD with all our hearts in everything and not to depend upon our understanding. It urges us to acknowledge the LORD, our Maker, in all our ways and to trust in Him to direct our paths.
O LORD, grant me the wisdom to trust You fully in all things and to walk in Your ways rather than my own. Amen.
“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.” Proverbs 3:1-2
We often think of God’s commandments as restrictive, keeping us from the joys of life, but they are truly for our good and protect us from harm and ruin. Heeding the commandments of the LORD brings “length of days,” “long life,” and “peace.”
Grant me wisdom, O LORD, that I would obey Your commandments and live my life for You. I ask this in the name of Christ Jesus, my only hope and Redeemer. Amen.
“For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:32-33
Turning away from the wisdom revealed in God’s Word — even if some who do so prosper for a time in this world — leads to death and destruction. But those who hear and heed God’s Word, repenting of sin and evil in their lives and looking in faith to the LORD God for mercy in Jesus Christ and His cross, will dwell in safety and be at ease in the face of evil.
Grant that I hear and heed Your Word, O God, repent of my sinful ways and look to You for mercy in the wounds of Your Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies.” Proverbs 1:28-31
Those who reject the counsel and wisdom of God’s Word and choose not to walk in “the fear of the LORD” will “eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies.” When they call on the LORD, He will not answer. When they seek Him, they will not find Him. Why? Because they reject the truth God reveals in His Word.
Grant that I respect and honor You, O LORD, hear Your Word and walk in Your ways. Amen.
