Proverbs 3: Trust in the Lord

Articles

Steven J. Wallace
06/03/19 - Proverbs

Bible Recall: POINTS IN PROVERBS

PROVERBS 3 – Trust In The Lord

Proverbs chapter three demonstrates the fear of the Lord is connected with practical trust in the Lord. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5). As an outline for a sermon, Solomon defines trust in the Lord as:

Regarding the law (3:1, 2).
Wearing mercy and truth (3:3, 4).
Not devising your own ways but learning His ways (3:5, 6).
Possessing Humility and departing from evil (3:7, 8).
Honoring the Lord with your prosperity (3:9, 10).
Never despising God’s fatherly correction (3:11, 12).

In the last article, we saw how Proverbs teaches by consequences as well as synonymous parallelism. Chapter three is filled with “consequential teaching” where doing action “a” results in reaping “b.” For example, not forgetting and keeping my law proverbially results in the length of days and peace (3:1, 2). Again, wearing mercy and truth around your neck and inscribing these qualities on the tablet of your heart results in finding favor with God and man (3:3, 4).

How important is it to love and be courteous to the Lord and to people in general?

Notice how Paul employed the wisdom of this proverb in Romans 14:15-19.
“And be ____________ to one another, ____________, ____________ one another, just as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

EXERCISES:

A. Find and list more examples of consequential teaching in Proverbs 3. What is commanded and what is the prospective reward?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. List the Rewards of Wisdom (Prov. 3:13-18).

C. What advice is given regarding the treatment of others (Prov. 3:27-32).

Practical Self Applications:

What do I do to acknowledge God in all my ways so that He will direct my steps (Prov. 3:6)? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How would pride and an over inflated view of self-worth hamper the relationship we are to have with God and men (Prov. 3:7)? First look in Proverbs 3 for answers. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How can I honor the Lord with my prosperity (Prov. 3:9)? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are some ways I could despise the correction of the Lord today (Prov. 3:11, 12)? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How might I withhold good from those to whom it is due (Prov. 3:27, 28; cf. Rom. 13:7; Gal. 6:10)? Who makes it my “due” to give good anyway? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion:

Proverbs chapter three has many practical applications for godly living. Read it carefully and frequently this month.

You could divide the chapter up into two main sections:

Do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:1-12).
Wisdom is better than earthly riches to find and promote peace and happiness (Prov. 3:13-35).

—Steven J. Wallace