Proverbs 3-4 -- An Outline In The "Fortune Cookies"

Proverbs can sure seem like a pile of fortune cookie inserts at times, but my commentary found an outline that’s worth considering.  In chapter 2, we learned that wisdom protects our path.  Chapter 3 shows that wisdom also directs our path, and in chapter 4 that wisdom perfects our path.  Here are some of the “lists” it came up with:

“Four conditions we must meet for receiving God’s guidance and wisdom:  1)  We must learn God’s truth, not carrying the Bible in our hands but letting the Holy Spirit write it on our hearts; 2) we must obey God’s will – a total commitment to Him; 3) we must share God’s blessings  -- forget spiritual and material – everything belongs to God; and 4) we must submit to God’s chastening.  Chastening is a part of God’s plan to help His sons and daughters mature in godly character.  God chastens us … as a parent disciplines a child … Sometimes He chastens us because we have rebelled and need to repent; other times He chastens us to keep us from sinning and to prepare us for His special blessing.  No matter how much the experience hurts us, it will never harm us, because God always chastens in love.”

“If we keep the conditions, we can partake of the blessings He has planned for us:  1) true wealth that comes from wisdom; 2) harmony with God’s creation; 3) the Father’s providential care; and 4) a positive relationship with others.”

Perfecting our path involves three responsibilities on our part, my commentary says:  “Knowing God’s Word, trusting God’s providence, and obeying God’s will.”

There’s a personal spiritual inventory here to help us see if we’re really living in obedience to the Lord:

                What comes into our ears?

                What is within our hearts?

                What is upon our lips?

                What is before our eyes?

                What is beyond my path?

“The Lord is weighing our ways and our hearts as well as our actions, and we had better do the same.”

Father, thanks for this guidance to help me ensure that I’m in Your will and following Your ways.  I want the blessings that spiritual wisdom bring!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford