I am continuing to read and meditate on the Proverbs this month. I just saw a notebook that a friend of mine compiled a few years ago from his study of the book of Proverbs and it is almost 400 pages of understanding and insights! I have written out my insights from my own studies in times past and it was not anywhere close to the thoroughness that he did! He is the most successful and prosperous person that I know personally. He has a wonderful family that also lives by these principles and all have prospered.

I have already written (last week) about how much the book has to say about Wisdom, but there are so many other insights that are written about more than once in those 31 chapters. For instance, the opposite — foolishness or being a fool — is mentioned 15 times, wicked people are mentioned 22 times and strife is mentioned 13 times. 

Along with the warnings for being foolish and wicked are many other verses about the Fear of God (12 times), prudence (9 times), wealth (12 times) and family life (13 times). That is why the book starts out with, “Here are kingdom revelations, words to live by, and words of wisdom to empower you to reign in life . . .” Verse 2 goes on to say, “Within these sayings will be found the revelation of wisdom and the impartation of spiritual understanding. Use them as keys to unlock the treasures of true knowledge.”

I have been indirectly mentored by many amazing men and women of God — not one on one but through their writings and teachings that they have applied to their own lives. Every one of them has a story to tell about how they got to have the great influence that they demonstrate and teach. Without exception, the book of Proverbs has played an important role — they not only read and understood the content, but applied it to their own lives and ministry. You will find that many great leaders who are not believers follow many of the principles outlined in the scriptures but do not give God the glory or credit. Nevertheless they are prospering — because the principles work for anyone who will apply them.

Those of you who have children can help them to find their calling and destiny by teaching them from this book. Verse 4 (chapter one) says, “These proverbs will give you great skill to teach the immature and make them wise, to give youth the understanding of their design and destiny.” 

I would imagine everyone who has a child or children want them to succeed and prosper, to excel even past what you have been able to accomplish thus far. A daily dose of wisdom from the book of Proverbs can certainly help them, especially in their young and formative years. 

If they pay heed to what you are teaching them, they will never be called a fool and if they act foolishly, their heart will instruct them and get them back on track very quickly. “Pay close attention, my child, to your father’s wise words and never forget your mother’s instructions. For their insights will bring you success, adorning you with grace-filled thoughts and giving you reins to guide your decisions.” (Proverbs 1:8-9) You can grow in wisdom!

Someone stated that James is the New Testament book of Proverbs! I would agree. The Passion Translation calls it a “wisdom letter” — practical truths that can be applied to our life. 

I quoted from chapter three last week, differentiating between the wisdom from above contrasted with the wisdom from below. James chapter one begins by exhorting the reader to seek to be wise, to ask God for wisdom. He says plainly, when you do, God will give it to you! I have prayed the prayer Paul gives us in Ephesians 1:16-19 (NKJV) for many years. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you (me) the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your (my) understanding being enlightened, that you (I) may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power . . .”

The scriptures not only describe the spiritual aspects of our lives but have many practical applications that when applied to our lives will ensure that we are able to live to our fullest potential while here on this earth. If the Kingdom of God is described as righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, doesn’t that describe the kind of life you would like to manifest? It is not only possible and it is not the exception but it is available to every single believer. 

I can personally testify to the truth of that declaration which is the result of seeking first His Kingdom. Even with the challenges of life, and I have had a few in the last few years, I can honestly say that I have stayed in peace with the joy of the Lord manifesting most of the time. Whenever I lose the peace or the joy, it is usually because I have moved out of that place of righteousness. If it is sin, I am very quick to repent. If it is buying into a lie about who I am, then I also as soon as I recognize it, stop and adjust my thinking and my confession. It should not take us long to be restored into right relationship once we understand who we are.

The health of the church overall here in America is not very good. Certainly the last two years has challenged most of us in ways we were not expecting and maybe not prepared for. However ,most of us have had that time to reflect on our true state because we had a lot less to distract us, if we chose to use our time wisely. 

Are you prepared or are you preparing for the season ahead? None of us know for sure what that could look like. I think I have heard more ideas about what could be than I can even process, but I personally have just been pressing into my relationship with the Lord, knowing that no matter what happens this year in our world and to me in particular, my trust and my faith need to be strongly anchored in the Lord. 

As you take some time to read through the book of Proverbs, ask the Lord to speak to you personally. He wants to make your path forward plain and His wisdom will help you navigate through all of the possible scenarios. “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, growing brighter and brighter until the noonday.”