In Proverbs 2, wisdom offered to deliver us from evil. In Proverbs 3, she offers to lead us into abundant life. In Proverbs 2, wisdom called us away from the path that “sinks down to death (2:18).” In Proverbs 3, she invites us to walk on “straight paths (3:6)” that lead to “length of days and years of life and peace (3:2)” and “favor and good success in the sight of God and man (3:4)” and “healing… and refreshment (3:8).”
Wisdom doesn’t just warn us from the wrong path. She woos us down the best path. And we walk this path, as John Piper puts it, living by faith in God’s future grace.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths (3:5-6).”
If we entrust ourselves to God wholeheartedly, he will not let us down and we will not regret it. It will be “healing to your flesh and refreshment (or medicine) to your bones.” I hear echoes of Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace
This Sunday Erik Thoennes will be preaching and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And pray for all who will join us in person and online that God’s word, “which is able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” would prove itself to be “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (and woman) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17).”
See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!
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