1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Solomon urges his son to pay attention to his teaching using both negative (do not forget) and positive (keep) statements. The benefit of keeping wisdom is the blessing of longevity of life and peace and prosperity (the word translated peace means more and includes wholeness, health, and harmony as well).
Steadfast love is about loyalty to God and faithfulness includes dependability. These two attributes should adorn your life like a chain around your neck and should be engraved figuratively on your heart. This again is speaking of holding fast to the teachings of wisdom and the result is favour and a good name with both men and God.
Verses 5-7 are well worth memorising. We should live with complete trust in the Lord and with no dependence on our own understanding. As we learned yesterday, man’s wisdom turns out to be foolish while true wisdom comes from God. In everything you do you should honour God because your life’s purpose is to bring God glory. Do not be wise in your own eyes, instead, in humility, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Note the use of the word all in these verses. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” and “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” We tend to trust in the Lord with some of our heart and in some of our ways we acknowledge Him. In what areas in your life are you not trusting in God? In what areas of your life should you be acknowledging Him more?