Proverb A Day

Ever notice how many verbs are in Proverbs?  This book keeps me busy with verbs like: listen, obey, do, do not, search, get, consider, give and so on.  For only 31 chapters there is a lifetime of wisdom packed into this little book.  I believe that even if the Lord allowed me to live to be 100 on my last day I will still be amazed at God’s wisdom, holiness and faithfulness found on these pages.

I find myself relying on Proverbs 2 & 3 very heavily.  Many times throughout the week I am prompted to turn to verses like “if you call out for insight…search for it as for hidden treasure…wisdom will enter your heart” (2:3-10).  I am humbled that God is faithful enough to discipline me to search for wisdom and loving enough to apply wisdom to my wicked heart. 

Proverbs is full of contingent promises- if you do this, then (in general) you can expect this.   For all believers we can agree with a contingent promise found in the first chapter of Proverbs, which says “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”  When believers read this we say “amen.”  We know there was a time in our lives when the gospel didn’t make sense until God changed our hearts and made His words known to us.

If you are looking for practical wisdom- how God desires you live your life, then I suggest you read a Proverb a day.  The saying goes like this “A Proverb a day keeps the devil away.”  Not too theologically sounds since the devil always “prowls around like a roaming lion seeking someone to devour,” but at least it rhymes. 

Here are some of my favorite Proverbs along with explanations as to how they constantly change my thinking which God uses to change how I live. 

Proverbs 1:20 “Wisdom calls aloud in the street” – God’s truth is not only stored in the Bible.  Recently, Erika and I watched a video where a small child said “I may not understand every word that my parents say, but I see everything, I am watching.”  Yikes!  Wisdom would say that’s true and we should be mindful of what we say and do in the presence of our boys.

Proverbs 2:8 “For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” – God is my guard and protector.  That’s huge when I truly believe it.

Proverbs 3:3 “Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” – This Proverb often comes in handy when I get frustrated (sin) with people who are close to me. When I walk into this kind of sin this verse springs up and beats my head until I believe it.  

Proverbs 6:22 “…they will speak to you.”  In reference to the importance of keeping God’s commands, binding them on your heart, and fastening them around your neck.  CJ Mahaney, in his book Humility wrote, “Most of us spend more time listening to lies than we do speaking truth to ourselves.” Every day my thoughts lead me down dreadful trails that inevitably are void of any truth, hope, and absent of any promises that God has for me in His Word.  After I realize how far my thoughts have taken me the only way to recover is to begin to speak the truth of God’s Word to myself.  That’s where memorizing Scripture comes in handy because, like a sword, God’s truth will cut through lies and set me free.

Proverbs 9- I love the comparison between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly.  They both have prepared their tables and they both invite me to dine with them every day.  When Deacon is tempted to complain I’ll ask him “What would Wisdom say, and what would Folly say?”  I was stunned recently when he said “Wisdom would say that I should take a bath.  Folly would complain about bath.” He got a big hug before I dunked him in the bathtub!

Proverbs 12:4 “The wife of a noble character is her husband’s crown.” – I’ve written about this verse before. My wife is my crown and needs to be loved and cared for accordingly.  In essence she sits atop my head for all to see.  If I am harsh with her then it’s like having a faded crown.   If I am loving to her it’s like adding more bling to my crown.

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Self explanatory, and very helpful when I’m tempted to throw a jab with my words.

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction…” – I need to get that one my hand!

Proverbs 19:27 “Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” – That is a very scary thought.  When I am tempted to not read the Bible, skip out on fellowship, etc. this verse judges my heart and gets me in line.

Proverbs 23:4-5 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich: have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone.” – Amen!  What a great reminder that Jesus is my treasure and that there are more important things in my life than striving for riches- much more important things!

Proverbs 25:6-7 “Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, ‘Come up here,’ than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.” – Often times my pride will tell me that I deserve recognition (especially with my job). This verse shuts my mouth when I am about to boast, and it causes me to offer up my seat when I’m about to checkmate a co-worker by sitting in the prominent place (next to my boss).  It’s better for me to wash the dishes in the kitchen than to sit with my pride next to my boss.

Proverbs 27:5 “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” – This keeps me grateful for my bride and pastor who are loving enough to be longsuffering with me, especially when I am in sin.

Proverbs 31:11 “Her husband has full confidence in her.” – Reminder that it’s a beautiful, God-honoring thing to have full confidence in my wife of “noble character.”  This verse frees me up to be thankful that God has given me a wife who I can have full confidence in. 

Those are only a few of the Proverbs that direct my life as a 28 year old husband, father and employee.  What about you?  If you have time to post a comment I’d love to hear what Proverbs direct your life and how they affect you.