Taking Proverbs for A Walk with Jesus

Taking Proverbs For A Walk With Jesus

"My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck; Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man." Proverbs 3:1-4

Proverbs seems to be one of these books in the Bible that you can open up at any page and there will be something that you need to look at for yourself. The one thing that I have come to understand is God's word is a living word for everyday living and walking. In those times of self-doubt or self reflection a good Proverb can come in quite handy.

Doesn't the above Proverb sound like instruction given straight from above? Just picture the Savior saying this to the men that followed Him.

What I've learned to look at from my study of Proverbs is in the first 9 chapters of Solomon's wisdom. How Jesus and Paul were able to use the illustration of marriage to speak of the relationship between God and His children. Solomon wanted his son to marry a woman of honor, like Jesus, the bridegroom, wants to marry His church, the bride. An honorable woman lifts up the spiritual head of the family and in turn he lifts her up. The more we do not forget the law and keep His commands in our hearts; this relationship brings glory unto God.

As I walk this path that God has set before me, it's what I see or have seen that has brought to me the notion of experience dictating the application of Proverbs.

"Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil
with the proud." Proverbs 16:18-19

As a Colony man this was a Proverb that you could hear over and over again when it got around that a follow Colony man had gone astray. I can also take this upon myself in those times when things are going wrong and I have been a bit of a braggart and hopefully the conviction of His spirit will re-direct my steps.

In closing, Proverbs are an everyday, waking up by being mindful of and walking the path with, way of life. Within Solomon's wisdom is a code of conduct and also within his wisdom are the "what happens" when we stray and go on our own. It is defiantly clear that picking the wrong woman will bring nothing but harm and the woman who works at honoring will be honored.

Jesus wants His church to conduct itself not only obediently but wisely. He wanted us to understand what folly would do to His church and to the Father. A Proverb a day may keep the adversary away but it will most certainly help us with "just a closer walk with Thee." - Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

Today's Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 1-3; Mark 10:32-52

Great Quote: To give God the service of the body and not of the soul - is hypocrisy. To give God the service of the soul and not of the body is sacrilege. To give God neither is atheism and to give God both is worship. Anonymous