Wisdom at the Edges of Life

Proverbs 3:9-12

Commentators on the book of Proverbs note regularly that “Many of Proverbs' sayings will seem counterintuitive or contrary to our first impulses.” For instance, Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." We easily agree—to have lots of good counselors is helpful—but the fool's initial impulse (in contrast to the wise son) will be to feel things out for themselves, trust their instincts alone, or listen to people just like them, which is akin to listening to themselves. Their first reaction will not be what God declares is the wise way. Here is another from Proverbs 11:24: "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want." Again, the fool’s first impulse is to resist the generosity this proverb describes as it can feel so unnatural, but God's wisdom will often feel that way at first but will give way to flourishing if followed over time. Here's one more: Proverbs 15:1 says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Again, many people, God-fearers or not, would agree with this statement, but in the moment someone's wrath is overflowing onto us, we might not feel this wisdom to be true. We usually want to return the harsh words with harsh words of our own, which is why God's wisdom regarding a soft answer can feel so counterintuitive to us.

“Time and time again, in Proverbs,” notes another commentator, “we will come up against this counterintuitive wisdom of God.” As we pass through life, there will be thousands of moments when God's ways will feel completely unnatural. What is a believer to do with this reality? “If God's wisdom often feels uncomfortable but leads to abundant life if pursued, then how can we push through the discomfort? How can we overcome the impulses of the moment and freely choose God's way over and over again?”

The answer, according to Proverbs 3, is TRUST. For us to go with God's wisdom over our base impulses, we must trust the God who gave us his wisdom in the first place. If we can develop a rich and full trust in Yahweh, a trust so strong it means we won't lean on our limited understanding, then we will yield to his wisdom, leading us to walk the good paths Proverbs describes. In other words, we won't get on wisdom's good and life-giving path without trusting God. So Solomon presented God's wisdom to his son as completely worthy of his son's trust.

In our passage this week, Prov. 3:9-12, we will see another practical way to show that you do trust in the LORD with all your heart (v5). When we truly trust Him, we can “honor” Him with generosity that realizes He is the great provider, and He has inexhaustible resources.

Join us this week as we look at Proverbs 3:9-12 and learn what it means to “honor the Lord with our wealth” and where this kind of trust – trusting in God’s wisdom – leads us. See you this coming Lord’s Day.

In Christ,

Pastor Wayne