Promises Week 29:
Book of Proverbs
…delighting in Him and His Word…Psalm 37:4
The Book of Proverbs:
All the Proverbs of Solomon are potential PROMISES…
p. 55 of Lockyer’s All the Promises of the Bible
Recurring PROMISES in Proverbs – those who choose wisdom and follow God will be blessed: (i) with a long life (9:11); prosperity (2:20-22); joy (3:13-18); goodness of God (12:21).
“All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God” Oswald Chambers (love this!)
Proverbs Chapter 1. One of the most beneficial things we can seek in all of life is wisdom which has been defined as decisions we make now that we will be happy with later. Tucked within this book is sound guidance on how to think properly; control your mouth; manage your finances; plan for the future; treat people correctly; deal with offenses; receive correction; keep from being foolish and how to deal with those who are; be a good friend; behave as husbands and wives should and to have good parent/child relationships. And what is wisdom? Christ is the Wisdom of God I Corinthians 1:24.
Prayer: God, I pray that You will help me to be wise. Help me to hear and increase in learning, to acquire skill, and to attain to sound counsel so that I may steer my course rightly. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Proverbs 2:2, 5 and 7 – Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom. The wisest approach to life’s challenges is to seek God for His plan, direction and spiritual insight. Here’s how: (i) Seek Him. If you want to know God’s heart on any given issue or have to make a difficult decision ask Him! Take time to pray, talk quietly and listen for God’s still, small voice. (ii) Meditate on God’s Word. You will gain insight into God’s mind and heart by studying Scripture. Difficult decisions become easier to make when God is the one guiding you. (iii) Obey the Principles of Scripture. When you set your heart on obeying God, He will teach you how to apply His truth in your life. You will know the way of wisdom. (iv) Observe the Faithfulness of God. The Lord has never failed to keep a single promise. (v) Heed Godly Counsel. God can use a godly friend or pastor to help you with needs or fears. (vi) Associate With Wise People. Choose friends wisely and establish a warm Godly base.
Proverbs 3:3, 3:8; 4:22 Health. It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones. (Proverbs 3:8 AMP)
Proverbs 3:9. We must not only believe the PROMISE – but, work diligently to fulfill the expectation.
Proverbs 3:24 The Lord will grant us security in places of greatest exposure – sweet sleep is only granted to those who walk in wisdom’s ways and love her counsel.
Proverbs 3:26. Our Confidence is in Someone vs. Something. He is our confidence – believing His PROMISES, worshipping Him…all to His glory.
Proverbs 4:10. The Wisdom of Heaven = Quality of Life.
ALL SCRIPTURE EXISTS TO REVEAL CHRIST.
Proverbs 8:17 Jesus is the Personification of Wisdom. The PROMISE is if we love and seek Him – we will find Him – He appeals to the young to seek and find Him early.
Proverbs 12:20 Laborers of Peace = Joy.
Proverbs 10:4. Diligence. There are many PROMISES linked to diligence and the rewards.
Proverbs 10:5 Wisdom of Righteousness vs Folly of Wickedness. To gather the harvest as summer fades = wisdom vs. the harvest is ripe and sleeping = shame. The harvest of souls is ripe now.
Proverbs 14:10 Dealing with Bitterness. (i) tell the truth about the situation; (ii) Listen carefully to what the better person is saying and let God help you understand the person’s emotion; (iii) when you come under personal attach remember how much God loves you – ask Him for encouragement through His Word; (iv) ask God help you with honest, love and grace.
Proverbs 14:20; 17:17 & 18, 18:24, 19:4, 22:24, 27:9 & 10, 27:17. Treasure of Friendship. We are so privileged to have our Heavenly Father as our constant friend. Always near – let’s take advantage of the Lord’s gift of friendship.
Proverbs 15:13 says that a glad, happy heart makes a cheerful countenance. Your countenance is your face, the way you look. God is concerned about how we look because we are either walking advertisements for Jesus or we are walking advertisements for satan. That is why we need to cheer up. When we relax and smile, it makes us and everyone around us feel better.
Proverbs 15:8 All of God’s PROMISES = should be turned into prayer.
Proverbs 16:3 (If we want to succeed). Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and entrust them whollly to Him. He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
Proverbs 18:10 A PROMISE of Sure Defense. Let’s trust our Guide and follow Him with joy.
Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.
Proverbs 1:8 & 9; 6:20-22;10:1; 20:7 & 27; 23:15, 16 & 25; 31:28. Promises In Connection with Children. A heritage of the Lord.
Proverbs 22:4 Reward of Humility. Humility and faith in the Lord wield riches, honor and life.
Proverbs 22:29 Law Firm’s Verse. Through unceasing diligence coupled with the Lord’s favor we have had the opportunity to serve influential clients. We can all be confident that as we labor diligently for our Heavenly Father – we will have the joy in the privilege of standing before the King of Kings in glory. Salvation will bring us into His royal presence – our service determines our reward.
Proverbs 30:7. IF…If the Lord is our portion – if we are delighting in Him – we will be content in our circumstances – as He will give us the desires of our heart.
Aside: Knowledge and Understanding do not equate to WISDOM. Wisdom is the sound application of knowledge and understanding based on discerning Truth. Sequential steps… Proverbs 2:6 and 3:5-6
Wisdom – why – purpose
Understanding – how – comprehension
Knowledge – what – perception
Week 30: Book of Ecclesiastes - Isaiah 10