Read | Proverbs 3:1–12
My son, don’t forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commands;
for they will bring you
many days, a full life, and well-being.
Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
Tie them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will find favor and high regard
with God and people.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
in all your ways know him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Don’t be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
This will be healing for your body
and strengthening for your bones.
Honor the LORD with your possessions
and with the first produce of your entire harvest;
then your barns will be completely filled,
and your vats will overflow with new wine.
Do not despise the LORD’s instruction, my son,
and do not loathe his discipline;
for the LORD disciplines the one he loves,
just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
Click here to listen to the Scripture in ESV.
What new insights stood out to you from this passage when rereading it after learning more about this book of the Bible throughout the past week?
Focus
To prepare your heart and mind even further for today's sermon, the Story of Scripture team at Dallas Theological Seminary wrote this devotional you might enjoy. Make a plan to join us at one of our five campuses to engage this passage in prayer and study with others in our church family.
In Wisdom
by Kraig McNutt - based on Proverbs 3:1–12
"My son, don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands." —Proverbs 3:1
My last grandfather died when I was just nine. Through my adolescence and teens, I had no grandfatherly voice to form me. Raised in an unchurched home, I committed my life to Christ at 14. Standing for Christ without family support was not easy.
As I grew into my early 20’s, I longed for a grandfather figure who could form me into the godly man, the servant-leader, I wanted to become. By God's amazing grace, I met that grandfather figure in 1984 at a Bible conference. He was 82 and I was 21. Originally from Ipswich, England, he was now living in Springfield, Illinois.
We instantly became dear friends. I asked him in a letter if I could adopt him as my grandfather, and he wrote back saying that in heaven we're all just brothers! I could not get enough time with Ed Sach, but we lived hundreds of miles apart. I went to stay with him about a year later because I needed his advice on whether I should ask my girlfriend—whom I deeply loved—to marry me. He lived in a mid-century craftsman home there. On the very first day together, we ended with some English tea, then went into his living room.
He asked, "Would you like to pray together and then go to bed?" I said I would love that, realizing I was completely in the presence of the grandfather I had always wanted. We both knelt in front of his couch, closed our eyes, and Ed started praying first.
Ed talked to God so authentically and warmly that I had to open my eyes just to make sure the Lord wasn't kneeling right beside him! I don't remember a word he prayed, but I have never forgotten that just being with him was enough to shape me then, and for the rest of my life, into the godly man and husband I wanted to become.
"My son, don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands." Proverbs 3 is the voice of someone already walking with God, speaking life into someone still learning. Mine was Ed. Who is speaking into your life? Whose life are you speaking into? Never underestimate the power of presence with your children, your grandchildren, or anyone God places under your influence.
Pray
Craft your own prayer based on the Scripture passage, asking God to be present in all the gatherings of churches across the globe, as the gospel story is shared today.
Invite someone else (friend, family member, church member, etc.) to engage in this passage in prayer with you, and share with them one thing that was meaningful to you from it.
Going Deeper
If you are also following the BibleProject’s One Story That Leads to Jesus reading plan, complete today’s reading.
