My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.
For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
- Proverbs 3:1-35
“Here, the study of truth leading to wisdom is commended to all. This is enforced by a contrast of the destinies of the wise and wicked.
“Solomon instructs that wisdom is: (1) rooted in sound teaching (vv. 1-4); (2) rests in trusting God (vv. 5, 6); and (3) rewards those who obey (vv. 7-10). While wisdom demands chastening, it brings profound benefits (vv. 13-18), and its importance is clear, since it undergirded God’s creation (vv. 19, 20).”
- John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)
This could have been divided into two parts, but there are elements of well-being throughout.
Wisdom prolongs life and is life. Wisdom finds favor in God and your fellow man.
Then there is the often-quoted Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Wisdom will result in our barns overflowing and our cellars filled with new wine.
And we could spend a lot of time on Proverbs 3:11-12. We whine when we are in the midst of trials and tribulation in spite of the commands to count them Joy. But God is disciplining us to refine us. He wants us prepared for the next life, an eternal life.
Wisdom is greater than gold, nothing can compare to wisdom. It produces long life, life itself, and safety. Wisdom produces sweet sleep. Ouch! I guess I am unwise a lot due to my insomnia, but I always seem to get enough sleep.
Then starting in verse 27 through verse 31, Solomon writes a series of “Do not” statements, with a couple in previous verses. For those who seek wisdom, we must not do what? Do not withhold from others, do not procrastinate when we have what our neighbor needs, do not plot against our neighbor, do not accuse, and do not envy. These might parallel the Ten Commandments to a point, but it seems to go beyond the literal to include bad thoughts. This section is similar to what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.
And now let us sing.
The following song is sung by Leon Timbo, Nothing I Hold On To. The song is very repetitive, and it bounces around if you follow with the video.
“I lean not on my understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I lean not on my understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I lean not on my understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I lean not on my understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
[Chorus]
(I give it all) I give it all to You, God
Trusting that You’ll make something beautiful out of me
I give it all to You, God
Trusting that You’ll make something beautiful out of me
[Verse]
(I lean) I lean not on my understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I lean not on my understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
[Chorus]
(I give it all) I give it all to You, God
Trusting that You’ll make something beautiful out of me (Out of me)
I give it all to You, God
Trusting that You’ll make something beautiful out of me
I give it all to You, God
Trusting that You’ll make something beautiful out of me
(One more time, sing) I give it all to You, God
Trusting that You’ll make something beautiful out of me
And I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open
I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open
I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open
I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open
I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open
I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open
I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open
I will climb this mountain with my hands…
[Bridge 2]
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
There’s nothing I hold onto
[Verse]
(I lean) I lean not on my understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I lean not on my understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
- Will Reagan & United Pursuit, Nothing I Hold On To
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom. You are the Creator of all things and we need many of those things for life itself. Wisdom produces safety and safety contributes to a long fruitful life. May we keep our eyes on You, Lord.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley 
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