Proverbs 3 -- A Promise With Four Conditions

My commentary had an amazing analysis of verses 1-12.  First, the promise of God in verses 5 and 6:  “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding.  Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success.”  I read that this promise won’t fail IF we obey the conditions laid out by God in verses 1-12.  That’s a great promise, so what conditions do we need to meet to obtain it?

 

First, “Keep My commands in mind.”  In other words, learn God’s truth by studying His Word (verse 1).

 

Second, obey God’s will.  “We must trust Him with all our heart and obey Him in all our ways.  That means total commitment to Him (verses 5-8).

 

Thirdly, share God’s blessings.  “Giving is heart preparation for what God wants to say to us and do for us (verses 9-10).

 

Lastly, submit to God’s chastening.  It’s “a part of God’s plan to help us mature in godly character…. Sometimes He chastens because we have rebelled and need to repent; other times He chastens to keep us from sinning and to prepare us for His special blessing … God always chastens in love (verses 11-12).”

 

Looking back on all that preparation, it certainly makes sense.  God wants to deliver a promised blessing to us.  We need to be readied to receive it.

 

Father, I want the good blessings You have planned for me, because I know that You know me and love me better than I know and love myself.  Ready me for those promised blessings.  Help me to trust You with all my heart.  Help me not to lean on my own understanding.  Help me to remember You in all that I do.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford