Have you Read your Proverb Today?

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Twice this week, I have Googled a topic and was unable to find any helpful information.  I’m not sure how I feel about that, because we assume that Google knows everything! I have heard that everyone has a Proverb.  I was hoping to find a commentary about this, but I did not find one--it was like I totally made it up, but I’m sure I heard it somewhere.  The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon in the 10th century BC, with exception of Proverbs 31, which some Biblical scholars believe may have been written by King Lemuel.  

I have heard that everyone has a Proverb, that the chapter in the book of Proverbs coincides with our date of birth.  For those born on the 16th of any month, theirs is Proverbs 16. There are 31 books in Proverbs, so there is a Proverb for each day of the month--hence a Proverb for everyone!

​My favorite scripture is 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.”  I need these two verses everyday.  I am a planner, by nature, so when things must be done, I plan out a way to make it happen--and sometimes, now that I am older (and wiser) I will pause to check with the Lord to see if my plans are in line with His.  Sometimes, since I’ve grown in my faith, and I understand the proper order of things, I will actually pray first to ask the Lord to reveal His plan to me.  I then strain myself, not to jump ahead with my own plans, as I wait.  He has told me to, Be still, and know that I am God…(Psalms 46:10)

My birthday is actually January 16, so my proverb is Proverbs 16.  The first few verses are below

1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, 
      but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
      but motives are weighed by the Lord.
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
      and he will establish your plans.

That proves it, Google doesn’t know everything.  Proverbs 16 was definitely written for me! It was also written for you.  Solomon outlines his purpose in Proverbs 1:1-7.

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,
    knowledge and discretion to the young--
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
    and let the discerning get guidance--
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
    the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
   but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

This book outlines the necessary tools for life on Earth.  It teaches how to avoid being a fool, how not to be simple.  It teaches that wisdom and instruction are for everyone. Proverbs teaches that it is through our fear of the Lord that we begin to develop wisdom.  Fear, to me, is more than acknowledgment, it’s reverence, it’s an understanding of who He is and who we are. Fear is an understanding that He is our Creator, and has designed the proper order for which things should happen, that we must always align ourselves with Him, lest we are in sin.  When we are in sin, we must then fear, as in, be afraid of the consequences.   Proverbs teaches about prudence--how to  function giving care and thought for the future.  This is important as our sin nature would have us do just the opposite.  The second chapter of Proverbs teaches us how to get wisdom. ​

3 indeed, if you call out for insight
    and cry aloud for understanding,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Have you read your Proverb today!
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Amen!  Have a blessed week!
​Kim