The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

¹² For whom the LORD  loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. 

---

Oh Lord, how can I compare this experience of reproof? The correction is spiritual in nature, different from the discipline of a human parent. I can feel the force of temptation to sin while experiencing the wisdom to resist. Lord, the heart of pleasure is teasing, and the mind of reason is clouded. I see all encompassing options to do what Your wisdom is teaching me to resist; I’m enlightened to the knowledge of the consequence, and yet, I desire still, what is contrary to the correction.

Ah, okay!

I see!

I remember what the Holy Spirit taught Peter, and Peter spoke saying: … ^{1 Peter 3:15} but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts … . Being resurrected from death to life to serve the leaving God in eternal life by grace through faith is a necessary process for understanding the knowledge of truth and love. Lord, keep reproving me, please keep correcting me. Help me. Help us. I love you. Jesus, thank you for the gift of our salvation to be reconciled to God our Father in this way of sanctification. Change me, Lord. Perfect us by Your Word, the Word of God, the Word that You are in us. I pray we will endure. Amen.

---

RESOURCE

Proverbs 3 (NASB)—blueletterbible.org | biblegateway.com
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 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ So you will find favor and good repute 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 your paths straight. ⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. ⁸ It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. ⁹ Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; ¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. ¹¹ My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, ¹² For whom the LORD  loves He reproves, Even as a father  corrects the son in whom he delights. ¹³ How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. ¹⁴ For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. ¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. ¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. ²⁰ By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew.  ²¹  My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,  ²² So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. ²³ Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. ²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. ²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; ²⁶ For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. ²⁷ Do not withhold good from  those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. ²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it, ”When you have it with you. ²⁹ Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you. ³⁰ Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. ³¹ Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. ³² For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright. ³³ The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. ³⁴ Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. ³⁵ The wise will inherit honor, But fools  display dishonor.

---

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V12) Commentary
2. What will be our comfort when we are in affliction.

• (1.) That it is a divine correction; it is the chastening of the Lord, which, as it is a reason why we should submit to it (for it is folly to contend with a God of incontestable sovereignty and irresistible power), so it is a reason why we should be satisfied in it; for we may be sure that a God of unspotted purity does us no wrong and that a God of infinite goodness means us no hurt. It is from God, and therefore must not be despised; for a slight put upon the messenger is an affront to him that sends him. It is from God, and therefore we must not be weary of it, for he knows our frame, both what we need and what we can bear.
• (2.) That it is a fatherly correction; it comes not from his vindictive justice as a Judge, but his wise affection as a Father. The father corrects the son whom he loves, nay, and because he loves him and desires he may be wise and good. He delights in that in his son which is amiable and agreeable, and therefore corrects him for the prevention and cure of that which would be a deformity to him, and an alloy to his delight in him. Thus God hath said, As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, Rev. 3:19. This is a great comfort to God’s children, under their afflictions,
  • [1.] That they not only consist with, but flow from, covenant-love.
  • [2.] That they are so far from doing them any real hurt that, by the grace of God working with them, they do a great deal of good, and are happy means of their satisfaction.