Proverbs 3:5-12 – How to relate with God wisely

In the Book of Proverbs, wisdom is seen in having right relationship. The most important of relationships is the one we have with God. Proverbs 3:5-12 define four things we must do if we are to relate with God wisely. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we learnt firstly that we must trust the Lord with our whole heart. This suggests that we must trust Him entirely. Not only that, we must also trust Him exclusively, meaning we must rely on Him solely and not lean on our own understanding. Then we must also trust Him extensively by acknowledging Him in all our ways. The promise is that we will have divine guidance when we do that.

Secondly according to Proverbs 3:7-8, we are to relate with the Lord wisely by showing reverential fear for the Lord. In contrast to being wise in one’s own eyes, the call of the author is to fear the Lord. And without humility it is difficult to fear the Lord. Pride as we know makes a person self-centered, leading him to think a world of himself. On the other hand, a person who fears the Lord sees himself or herself in the light of God. Such a person identifies his or her own weaknesses and tendencies. So instead of doing one’s personal bidding, that person reverently seeks to honor God and refuses the path of evil. In fearing the Lord and honoring Him one will find healing and health.  

Thirdly, in Proverbs 3:9-10, we are told to honor the Lord with our wealth. This is a true test of our love for God. One’s willingness to give to His work is a reflection of the measure we love and trust Him. Giving to God is an act of worship. God is the possessor of heaven and earth. He owns everything in this world. We give not because He needs it, we give because we worship Him. Giving to Him is also an act of gratitude. By giving to Him we acknowledge that all that we have come from Him in the first place. And we are grateful for His providence, so we give as an act of gratitude. Giving is also an act of faith. In giving we express our confidence that God is the supplier of all our needs and we will lack nothing. God never short change us. When we give to Him, He promises to return to us in greater measure, often beyond our expectation. He said that our treasury will never run out when we give Him and His work. Jesus Himself exhorts us in Luke 6:38, saying, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”    

Fourthly, in Proverbs 3:11-12, we are to embrace the discipline of the Lord. While the previous two verses instruct us to honor God during times of plenty, verses 11-12 exhort us to honor God during times of difficulty. Hard times are usually permitted in our life to train and mature us. We are disciplined because God saw us as His own children. No father who is worth his salt will neglect this aspect of training his sons or daughters. God will surely discipline us because He loves us. Hence, we must never reject His training. Or as Job 23:10 says, “But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”