The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

³ Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

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I thank God that we have technology so advanced that we can connect with each other around the world, but not only that, a plethora of information to sift through upon need of instantaneous education on any given subject as even these topics of kindness and truth, only … those principles are not taught by an online inquiry … they’re learned by meditating on the Person of Jesus, our Christ. The only way to develop such principles is by observing the Person of Christ in the churches of God across the globe. You’ll notice all throughout the apostolic testimonies, how they addressed our churches still alive today:

^{Romans 16:16} — Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

^{1 Thessalonians 1:1} — Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the  church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

^{1 Corinthians 16:19} — The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

^{Galatians 1:2} — and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

^{1 Thessalonians 2:13-} — For this reason we also constantly  thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God,  which also is at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵ who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all people,

^{Hebrews 12:23} — to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

I hope you experience the joy in these words that were sent out from the hearts of churches 2000 years ago to be written on the tablets of our hearts today, right now. I pray you’ll do that. Write to remember the kindness and truth of God, that when you’re addressing people of the faith you’re addressing the Bride of the Lamb. And when addressing the world of sin, you’re proclaiming the good news from your tablets within. By faith we have the Word of God made secure in hope for our salvation, but there might be eyes that see not nor ears that hear not for the glory of God written in you to reveal Him in the name of Jesus.

The churches are still greeting us today … will you hear the kindness and truth of their voices, and see those principles as a favorite necklace around your neck? If you’re reading this … the church from the household of Laura and Nathan greet you.

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RESOURCE

Proverbs 3 (NASB)—blueletterbible.org
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.

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COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V3) Commentary
II. We must have a continual regard to God’s promises, which go along with his precepts, and are to be received, and retained, with them (v. 3): “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee, God’s mercy in promising, and his truth in performing. Do not forfeit these, but live up to them, and preserve thy interest in them; do not forget these, but live upon them, and take the comfort of them. Bind them about thy neck, as the most graceful ornament.’ It is the greatest honour we are capable of in this world to have an interest in the mercy and truth of God. “Write to them upon the table of thy heart, as dear to thee, thy portion, and most delightful entertainment; take a pleasure in applying them and thinking them over.’ Or it may be meant of the mercy and truth which are our duty, piety and sincerity, charity towards men, fidelity towards God. Let these be fixed and commanding principles in thee. To encourage us to do this we are assured (v. 4) that this is the way to recommend ourselves both to our Creator and fellow-creatures: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding.