Our Sunday school lesson from yesterday posed the question, if someone came to your house, would they know from how you decorated, what you are reading, and what you have on display, that you follow Christ? Then these questions were asked… what does your daily time in the Word look like? Do you even have time set aside to read the Bible?

That question for me is a no brainer. I get up at 5:00 a.m. and read the Bible, write in my prayer journal, and read devotional or motivational type material that goes along with scripture.

My life is such a mess, if I didn’t do that, I wouldn’t make it.

This morning I landed on Proverbs 3. I’ve read this chapter many many times over the years, but there was so much that popped out at me this morning that I had never noticed before. That’s why Hebrews 4:12-13 says,

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (NIV)

When I mention wisdom… I mean God’s wisdom… not man’s. I can tell from my thoughts that there is nothing wise at all about me, until I let the Holy Spirit replace my thoughts with His.

Here are some benefits that I saw this morning from Proverbs 3:

1. Keeping God’s commands in your heart will prolong your life and bring peace. (verses 1-2)
2. If you are steadfast in love and faithfulness to God and others, then “you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (verses 3-4)
3. Don’t lean on your own understanding at all — trust the LORD and submit to Him. Then your life will straighten out. (verses 5-6)
4. If you think others and stresses in life are causing you to have poor health, here is the solution — Don’t think you are smart and can figure it out… instead…fear God, and avoid evil. “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (verses 7-8) **Does that mean we can forget, Paleo, Keto, Mediterranean, gluten free, dairy free, counting calories, ect.? 😉
5. You are blessed if you find wisdom. (verse 13)
6. Finding this wisdom brings peace into your life. (verse 17) My Bible references Proverbs 16:7 on this verse which says, “When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, He causes their enemies to make peace with them.”
7. Wisdom from God provides “sweet” sleep. (verse24)
8. Wisdom from God keeps you out of the traps set by others to catch you. (verse 26)
9. God shows His favor “to the humble and oppressed.” (verse 34)
10. “The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.” (verse 34) (*all references were taken from the 1984 NIV version)

In summary, to reap these benefits, I must… put God’s commands in my heart; be loving and faithful to God, family, and friends; lean on God’s wisdom and not my own; fear God and avoid evil; and… search for this wisdom in scriptures until I find it.

I’m up for the challenge, because I know that it is the only way I will find peace in my life.

Do you have a wise saying from scripture you would like to share? Please comment on it below.

Have a great week!