The Way of the Wise - Proverbs
3 - The Secret of Spiritual Blessing
Here is an Old Testament picture of a New Testament experience. Here is a picture of a life that is ruled and blessed by the Lord Jesus Christ, for in this book wisdom is a picture of Him. Here is a life of fellowship and communion with Him.
We find in this third chapter of Proverbs three keys to the secret of spiritual blessing:
In Verses 1 to 4 we look at Christ’s word.
In verses 5 to 12 we look at Christ’s ways.
In verses 13 to 18 we see Christ’s wealth.
First of all, His word in verses 1 to 4: “My son”, he says, “do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart.” Do you ever have “senior moments”, as we call them? Do you forget things, forget names or people? Well, you may forget many things, but God says don’t forget my teaching. He has given us his precious word. The secret of spiritual blessing is found in his book, the Bible. For true Christians it is his word that must rule and govern our lives. It is a book to be taken very seriously; it is a book to be obeyed.
Here the word ‘teaching’ or ‘Torah’ means direction. Middle age is a time when so many lives are aimless, empty and futile. In this society littered with broken relationships and aching hearts, God offers real direction and purpose and meaning to people who are sinful, but who can be set free. Look at the lives of those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, especially older Christians. You see years of fruitfulness and usefulness and spiritual prosperity. In fact in verse 2 he says to keep these commands, this teaching, will prolong life many years and bring prosperity. Some walk in spiritual darkness all their lives, and it is tragic; some walk in the light of Christ, and it is wonderful.
No one is more loving or more faithful than our Saviour. Verse 3, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” To know Christ’s love is to know life; to know his faithfulness is to live life to the full. Here is a picture of being governed and guided by the word of God. Here is the secret of spiritual blessing. It speaks here of the glory of God’s Word, of meditating on his word, acting on his word, writing his word upon our hearts. What is written on your heart? Is it his word? David could say, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). When you are ruled and governed by the word of God you will be known as a godly person. Verse 4 says, “Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.” What is the secret of spiritual blessing? You will certainly find it in God’s word.
Secondly you will find it in God’s ways. We look now at verses 5 to 12. Here is the Gospel in the Old Testament: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Here is the life transforming, soul saving message of God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Did you know that the original idea of the word ‘trust’ in the Hebrew contains the idea of lying helplessly, face downwards; that is total dependence?
Have you ever been touched and affected by what happened at Calvary’s cross? There the Lord Jesus was hanging on that cross alone and in agony, while bearing the punishment for your sins. He was taking your sins upon himself. He was being punished on your behalf. This is the One in whom you are invited, urged, to place your absolute trust. You are invited to lean on him for your forgiveness and salvation first of all. Then to lean means to rely upon Him, to submit entirely to Him, and to acknowledge Him in every part of your life. Yes, in all our ways: the happy days, the hard days, the days of sorrow and temptation, stormy days when everything seems against you, knowing that “As for God his way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). We have, in this verse, the promise of guidance in all our ways. Acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. He will not fail us for God guides his people. We are to walk humbly before Him all our days.
Verse 7 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and shun evil.” What is there for us to be proud about? Absolutely nothing! We are to have nothing to do with every subtle form of evil that there is. So many films that people watch are full of foul language and blasphemy and immorality. Christians must having nothing to do with these, and be prepared to humbly acknowledge God in all their ways and live lives that are pleasing to Him in every way. This is wholesome, healthy, spiritual living. As verse 8 says, “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
In verses 9 and 10 we have evidences of conversion, of being born again by the Spirit of God. We have a dedicated life and a dedicated income. “Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing.” The Christian’s aim in life should be to honour the Lord, to give Him first place in everything. This will include giving to the Lord gladly, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver. Give to him not from the top of your purse but from the bottom of your heart. Now, this is not a health, wealth and prosperity Gospel, this is the faithfulness of God. If we give to the Lord, He will be faithful. He will be good to us in so many ways for He is no man’s debtor. So what is the secret of spiritual blessing? First, obedience to God’s word and the application of it to our lives; second, walking in God’s ways, under his guidance, and third, a right view and use of his material blessings - his wealth.
Then verse 11 tells us that we are not to despise or reject or resent God’s discipline in our lives. He deals with us graciously, and verse 12 reminds us that the Lord disciplines his children because He loves us - just as a father disciplines the son he delights in, for his good and welfare. God disciplines us not to make us bitter but to make us better.
In verses 13 to 20 we have a wonderful description of wisdom. Remember that we see in this Old Testament picture of wisdom a portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ. This description of true wisdom portrays it as profitable, precious, and incomparable. In Verse 13 we read: “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.” That which will bless us most is to know Christ in all his fullness, and to understand God’s purposes in Him. To the Christian Christ is indeed precious. He is our all in all. The Lord Jesus is also beyond compare. He is unique. He is the Son of God and there is none like Him.
Verse 17 speaks about pleasant ways and paths of peace. It is a lovely picture; it is very pleasant; it is very delightful to live for Christ. It is a pathway of contentment and peace and joy, despite many of the circumstances of life. The essential message, then, of Proverbs Chapter 3 is to embrace Christ, to trust Him and to follow Him, and in so doing you will find real blessing.