God's Wisdom For Today

"Beware what you set your heart upon. For it surely shall be yours." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 3:3. 

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

    bind them around your neck;

    write them on the tablet of your heart.  (ESV)

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!

    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.

    Write them deep within your heart. (NLT)

“The binding to the neck and the writing upon the heart express the fact that God desires His commands to be the very life of His people-every breath they breathe and every beat of their hearts.” - The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible Commentary

Other verses mentioned in the episode:

Hear, my son, your father's instruction,

    and forsake not your mother's teaching,

for they are a graceful garland for your head

    and pendants for your neck.  (Proverbs 1:8-9)

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalms 25:10)

He will send from heaven and save me;

    he will put to shame him who tramples on me.

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!  (Psalm 57:3 )

Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel,

    for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.

There is no faithfulness or steadfast love,

    and no knowledge of God in the land;  (Hosea 4:1)

Here we see Israel condemned for exactly what today’s verse is telling us not to do: not to forsake steadfast love and faithfulness

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”  -- C. S. Lewis

We’re beginning chapter three today and looking at the first of 12 verses of a rhythm of instruction and incentive. This is God in the tone of a father instructing his children on what will foster a good life.

Raymond C Ortlund Jr., says, “The wisdom of chapter 2 offered to deliver us from evil. It offered protection. But this glowing chapter 3 is so positive. It is an education of life at its best--how to live well in every area, at home, at work, all around. ...he is coaching us in how we can be fully alive, for his glory.”

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 3:1-2. 

My son, do not forget my teaching,

    but let your heart keep my commandments,

for length of days and years of life

    and peace they will add to you.  (ESV)

Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;

    take to heart my commands.

They’ll help you live a long, long time,

    a long life lived full and well. (MSG)

David Guzik, a Bible commentator says about verse 1:

“Deciding to not forget God’s word is more than a mental exercise of memory. It is also connected to a life of obedience, one that does keep the commands of God. If one mentally remembers God’s Word yet fails to obey it, we could rightly say he or she has forgotten God’s commands. We note also that this obedience is one of the heart. Our goal in obedience is not mere outward conformity to God’s will, but a heart that loves and obeys Him. ‘The heart is the first thing that wanders away from God, and it is also the first thing that returns to God.’”

Other verses mentioned in the episode:

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. (Psalm 119:165)

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (Ephesians 2:14)

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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www.getwisdompublishing.com

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“The whole passage is meant to position us in that place of blessing and protection. We need it.”  ― Raymond C. Ortlund Jr.

Today we conclude chapter two with a contrast between the future of the upright and the wicked.

John Kitchen says, “The primary intent of wisdom, however, is not simply avoiding evil, but seeking the good. The former must happen as an application of wisdom, but it is not the primary purpose. Wisdom is not first of all about refraining from bad things, but about pursuing God’s best things. The orientation of wisdom is not primarily negative, but positive.”

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:20-22. 

So follow the way of the good,

and keep to the paths of the righteous.

For the upright will inhabit the land,

and those of integrity will remain in it;

but the wicked will be cut off from the land,

and the treacherous ripped out of it.  (CSB)

So follow the steps of the good,

    and stay on the paths of the righteous.

For only the godly will live in the land,

    and those with integrity will remain in it.

But the wicked will be removed from the land,

    and the treacherous will be uprooted. (NLT)

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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“The trouble with most of us is that we'd rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”  ― Norman Vincent Peale 

Today we’re talking about the second of the temptations a father warns his son about, an unfaithful woman.

Henry Morris writes, “The "strange woman" ("alien woman") is named as such no less than ten times in Proverbs, with both literal and figurative applications. Foreign women, with different gods and moral standards than those of Israel, often led God's people into sin, including Solomon himself (1Ki 11:1-8). This situation also represents spiritual adultery, with the Israelites not only consorting with strange women but also worshipping strange gods. This is suggested in the next verse, ‘forgets the covenant of her god’”

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:16-19. 

It will rescue you from a forbidden woman,

from a wayward woman with her flattering talk,

who abandons the companion of her youth

and forgets the covenant of her God;

for her house sinks down to death

and her ways to the land of the departed spirits.

None return who go to her;

none reach the paths of life.  (CSB)

Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman,

    from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.

She has abandoned her husband

    and ignores the covenant she made before God.

Entering her house leads to death;

    it is the road to the grave.

The man who visits her is doomed.

    He will never reach the paths of life. (NLT)

Other Scriptures Mentioned in the episode:

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:14–15)

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21)

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email

www.getwisdompublishing.com

www.graceandthegravelroad.com

“it's not the darkness that's terrifying, it's what you might find in it.” - J.M. Darhower   

Today we’re talking about one of the temptations a young person will face in life - perverse men. These verses describe them.

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:13-15. 

from those who abandon the right paths

to walk in ways of darkness,

from those who enjoy doing evil

and celebrate perversion,

whose paths are crooked,

and whose ways are devious. (CSB)

These men turn from the right way

    to walk down dark paths.

They take pleasure in doing wrong,

    and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil.

Their actions are crooked,

    and their ways are wrong.  (NLT)

Other Scriptures Mentioned in the episode:

And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. (John 3:19)

If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. (1 John 1:6)

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him. (1 John 1:5)

But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;

they don’t know what makes them stumble. (Proverbs 4:19)

Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going. (John 12:35)

John Kitchen says, "the one who has corrupted his conscience with sin finds his deepest being resonating with the call of evil and he finds his feet ready to dance down the path of wickedness. Indeed, his delight is not simply in evil as a concept or philosophy, but in ‘doing’ it"

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email

www.getwisdompublishing.com

www.graceandthegravelroad.com

“I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

two roads diverged in a wood, and I --

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

- Robert Frost

Today we’re talking about one of the temptations a young person will face in life and what protects us from falling victim to it.

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:11-12. 

discretion will watch over you,

    understanding will guard you,

delivering you from the way of evil,

    from men of perverted speech, (ESV)

Good Sense will scout ahead for danger,

    Insight will keep an eye out for you.

They’ll keep you from making wrong turns,

    or following the bad directions  (MSG)

In speaking of the men in verse 12, George Lawson says, “They speak contrary things; they pay no regard to truth, but bend their tongue like their bow for lies.” 

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email

www.getwisdompublishing.com

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“Our Father is saying in Proverbs 2, ‘If you will seek newness of life in Christ, you will go deep with him, and you will change within yourself, Then you’ll be prepared for life in the real world.’ That is how grace works,” - Raymond C. Ortlund Jr.

Today we talk about a new description of wisdom: the “ethical triad” of righteousness, justice, and equity and how it can take up residence in your heart. Which sounds nice and “Christian-ey”, but imagine if the seat of your emotions, understanding, reason, conscience, motives, desires, decision-making, and faith was governed by righteousness, justice, and equity. How would that affect your life?

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:9-10. 

Then you will understand righteousness and justice

    and equity, every good path;

 for wisdom will come into your heart,

    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;  (ESV)

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,

    and you will find the right way to go.

For wisdom will enter your heart,

    and knowledge will fill you with joy.  (NLT)

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email

www.getwisdompublishing.com

www.graceandthegravelroad.com

“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.”  -  Gilbert K. Chesterton

Today's verses share some of the benefits of knowing God and living in relationship with him. The Way may not be the easy road, but it will never be without reward.

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:7-8. 

he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

    he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

guarding the paths of justice

    and watching over the way of his saints.  (ESV)

He's a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well,

a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.

He keeps his eye on all who live honestly,

and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.  (MSG)

If you need to be encouraged by the last line of these verses or to have it re-enforced slowly read Psalm 121 which uses the same Hebrew verb six times in eight verses!

The benefits of knowing God are that God himself is

• Storing up practical wisdom for you
• Shielding you
• Guarding your path
• Keeping you, preserving you

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email

www.getwisdompublishing.com

www.graceandthegravelroad.com

“We must be looking beyond our circumstances to God as our power and wisdom.” - Thomas Bear

In this episode we get to the “BECAUSE” of the passage we’ve been studying. Why can we get the results we’re given in verse 5? Because...

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:6. 

For the Lord gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  (CSB)

For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding.  (TLB)

Other Scriptures Referenced:    

I have filled him (Bezalell) with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,  (Ex 31:3)

As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams. (Da 1:17)

It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding (Da 2:21)

To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter. (Da 2:23)

“What is implicit in all of Proverbs, chapter 2 makes brightly explicit: Wisdom comes from God and no one can enjoy it who does not choose God’s paths.” - Robert Hubbard

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email

www.getwisdompublishing.com

www.graceandthegravelroad.com

Today we cover the “THEN” portion of the IF/THEN statement in Proverbs 2. The results we’ll get if we take the actions we’ve been talking about the last few days. 

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:5. 

then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and discover the knowledge of God.  (CSB)

Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours;

you'll have come upon the Knowledge of God.  (MSG)

Other Scriptures Referenced:  Jeremiah 9:23-24   

This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,"  declares the LORD.

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email

www.getwisdompublishing.com

www.graceandthegravelroad.com