Read Proverbs 3:13–18
Questions from the Scripture text: What man is happy in Proverbs 3:13? What does wisdom exceed in value (Proverbs 3:14-15)? What does she give (Proverbs 3:16)? What are her ways like (Proverbs 3:17)? What is she to whom (Proverbs 3:18a)? Therefore, who are happy (Proverbs 3:18b)?
How can we be happy? Proverbs 3:13–18 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that happiness is in God Himself, through His Word.
How to be blessed (Proverbs 3:13, Proverbs 3:18). Happiness, blessedness, comes by not just finding (two synonyms in Proverbs 3:13; cf. Proverbs 2:2a) wisdom but grasping it (two synonyms in Proverbs 3:18; cf. Proverbs 2:2b). When wisdom is applied to the heart, what is found and laid hold of is not merely truths and techniques but the Lord Himself (cf. Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 2:5). Would you enjoy the blessed life? Then know and fear the Lord through finding and hanging onto His Word.
Possessions (Proverbs 3:14-16). Silver (Proverbs 3:14a), gold (verse 14b), and rubies (Proverbs 3:15a) can buy much, but what they can buy don’t compare (verse 15b) to length of days (Proverbs 3:16a) and honor (verse 16b). The true riches are purchased by the knowledge of God. Only in the knowledge of Him can any possessions be a true blessing. Only in the knowledge of Him is there everlasting life and glorious honor in a new heavens and new earth.
Pleasantness and Peace (Proverbs 3:17-18a). Wisdom doesn’t just obtain pleasant things. Living wisely is itself pleasant (Proverbs 3:17a). The path of wisdom is itself an enjoyment of peace (verse 17b): whole blessing in the whole of life. Wisdom is like a tree of life (Proverbs 3:18a): a provision from God in which we taste the blessedness of being right with Him. Walking with God is pleasant and blessed, because He Himself is the true pleasantness and blessedness.
To what are you tempted to look for enjoyment and peace? By what means does God turn you to Himself instead?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us Your wisdom, by means of Your Word. Thank You for giving us all things. But thank You that these are but a secondary blessing to the gift of Yourself in Your Son. Give us to look to You alone for all our blessedness, so that even in Your good gifts, it is first and foremost You and Your goodness that we enjoy, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH73C “In Sweet Communion, Lord with Thee”
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