The Other Verses in Proverbs Three
Proverbs 3:1-4, 7-8 NASB
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
But have your heart comply with my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and a good reputation
In the sight of God and man.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs chapter three has some very well-known verses. Verses 5-6 are some of the most popular. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." NKJ Great verses and worthy of the attention they receive. Of course, there are verses nine and ten, favorites of mine that pertain to honoring the Lord with our giving. "Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." NKJ
We count on these verses as truth. God's Word that applies to us. But there are other verses with conditional promises that are just as valid as the popular ones. Our two passages for today are not as popular but just as powerful.
There is a promise of productive days and long life found in verses one and two. If we do not forget God's word to us and keep His commands in our hearts, there are marvelous results that come out of doing this. Don't forget that the days and years will be accompanied with God's peace. Length of days, long life, and peace, sign me up!
And continuing on in the great truths found in Proverbs three. How about an increase in favor and understanding with God and man? Sounds like a good plan, I am all in. The condition to this promise is that we maintain a close relationship with kindness and truth. Not being in the truth, then on the outskirts. Truth and kindness, or mercy, are in our hearts and in our lives. Not from a theoretical standpoint but rather built into our lives. Truth can land hard. Truth served with mercy and kindness is a lot more palatable.
After the highly popular verses five and six come the just as important verses seven and eight. These verses are short but punch way above their weight. "Don't be wise in your own eyes" is classic humility. Someone who thinks they know it all - does not. "Fear the Lord and depart from evil." The fear of the Lord is a big subject in the Scriptures. A reverential respect for the Lord is where knowledge and understanding begin. "Turn away from evil," this one goes without explanation. We know what to turn from and what to turn to. And these things produce healing and strength to our bodies and lives. These verses should have the same appeal and importance as the popular verses from this chapter. Our verses for today are just as true and just as powerful.
A great plan going forward is to commit our verses for today to memory and to application. They may not be well known, but they can have just as big an impact on our lives as we believe and comply.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for the hidden gems of Proverbs three. Help me to live by the standards they set and the blessings they promise.