Shownotes
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 135 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.
Proverbs Chapter [3:21]-35 – Trusting the Lord #4
Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 135 of our Trek, and we are remaining at camp this week as we dig for the nuggets of wisdom contained within the book of Proverbs. We have discovered some precious treasure so far this week, so let us continue on our study of the map to wisdom.
Yesterday we explored Chapter 3:13-20, and today we will finish Chapter 3:21-35 as we discover the value of having common sense and discernment. Once we complete the entire book of Proverbs, we will make the entire commentary available in an eBook although we will be going on many treks between our times at camp. If you have any of your own observations, comments, or questions as we explore these nuggets of wisdom, please share them on the comment section of our daily journal pages.
We are recording our podcast from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. We just arrived back in Charlotte after a very busy but productive few days with our friends and business partners Charles and Alison Mecom. We are working together on a couple of large construction projects in the Phoenix, Arizona area. This podcast is being released a little later than usual due our travel schedule. We took a red eye flight back to Charlotte which delayed the initial release of this podcast.
As we continue on our discussion of Proverbs 3, I trust that this time we spend at camp studying the map for wisdom has been and will continue to be valuable and beneficial. Even if you do not consider yourself a person of faith, my hope is that you will stay around and gather the wisdom that is universal to all.
As I mentioned the past couple of days, the title of Chapter 3 is…
Trusting in the Lord
· Common sense in not always common.
Let’s start out now and glean wisdom from Proverbs [3:21]-35.
21My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, 22For they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace.
Verse 21-22 should encourage us. We need to keep our eyes and mind on common sense, discernment, love, and wisdom. We are to cling to them as we would if they were any precious stone. Gold, silver and gems may be beautiful. But, wisdom is more beautiful than any valuable objects. These attributes are to be so evident in our lives that it is like wearing a necklace. The beauty of these attributes should be very evident to everyone that sees us.
23They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. 24You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. 25You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, 26for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
In verses 23-26, unlike gold and silver, which many would attempt to take from us, we can hold onto common sense and discernment, and no one can steal them from us. They are part of the very essence of who we are. Life is a trek, and when we have these attributes in our lives, we will we be less likely to make mistakes that would cause us to stumble and fall. We have nothing to fear. Verse 24 gives us special comfort. We should not be afraid of those things that go bump in the night because this passage teaches us that God will protect us. While I do not have this particular problem, I realize that many people struggle to sleep. We can trust in God, He can keep us safe. He can protect us.
27Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. 28If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” 29Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you.
In verses 27-29 we have a clear admonition to help others when we have the capability to do so. We should not hold back or delay this help. In Mark 12:30-31 Jesus said, 30 “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. 31 The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” As with the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10, we see that our neighbor is anyone that we come across that may need our help. Be a good neighbor.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm. 31Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways. 32 Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.
In verses 30-32 we see that as Christians we should not be violent or follow the practices of those who are. Instead, we are to be peacemakers. Jesus teaches us this principle in Luke 6:35-36 35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
If you do not practice these principles, Proverbs [3:32] indicates that your actions are detestable.
Look at verses 33-35.
· God deals with different people differently.
33 The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the uprights. Verse 33 reminds us that God will do good things for us if we obey him. He is kind to us, and he is kind to our homes too. The word “home” shows that God will help our families also.
There are certain universal principles that govern God’s creation. When we contrast the upright with an evil person, we see that God curses both the evil man and those who live in the evil man’s house. The evil man’s family suffers because of his evil actions. Eventually those individuals who practice evil will reap a like harvest.
34 The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.
In verse 34, we see the principle of planting and harvesting are always in force throughout our lives. The time for judgment is coming. God will be our judge.
We should serve God, and we should be humble. We must not be proud. When God is our judge, he will show us kindness and love. Some people are proud. They insult other people. They must turn from their evil behavior. Then God will forgive them. If they refuse God’s love, God will punish them. The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Church in Galatia in Chapter 6 verses 7 and 8, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.”
35The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!
We see in verse 35 that if we are wise, we will inherit honor, or it could be said that we will be an honorable person. Remember from our previous discussion in Proverbs that a simple person is someone that may be lacking in wisdom, but a fool is a person that despises God’s truth and wisdom. In the end, a foolish person will be put to shame.
Today we learned from Proverbs 3 why common sense so important and how God deals with different people differently based on how they treat others. I trust this time in Proverbs 2 and 3 has been beneficial and that you will come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Tomorrow we will head back out onto the trail of life and see how important it is to be able to pivot or change trails when needed.
That will finish our podcast for today. Remember to listen to your daily dose of wisdom on Wisdom-Trek.com, or subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spreaker, or YouTube so the episodes will be downloaded to you automatically each day. Please share Wisdom-Trek with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person so they can come along with us each day.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this Trek together, let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend to others Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!