Proverbs 23-25

Wisdom
Understanding
Knowledge
3 things we are in great need of and exhorted to seek after... for the truth of God's word is the source of life and all happiness.

Many of these words of truth are repeated in the New Testament, some by Paul, some by James, and some by Jesus, Himself.  Truth is always truth.

Jesus talked about the problem of loving money and being anxious about what we own.   Proverbs 23:4 -5says, " Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease it from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. for wealth certainly makes itself wings. Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens." 

Paul quoted in Romans 12:20 what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 25:21-22 " If your enemy is hungry give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you." 

James wrote about many of the themes found in Proverbs - the danger of the tongue, the sin of showing partiality, and the need for wisdom.

As I move through chapter after chapter in Proverbs.. .and the Psalms too.. I find myself starting to get ... overwhelmed? lazy? satiated?   I can't seem to take any more in!  It's like eating Thanksgiving dinner... all delicious, but you can only eat so much before you burst!  I know that we can never have too much truth or wisdom or knowledge... but I need much smaller bites! So here is a small bite that I want to chew on for a while, " My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will be glad; and my inmost being will rejoice, when your lips speak what is right." ( 23:15-16)  Which sounds an awful lot like another New Testament writer, John.. " I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." ( 3 John 1:4)

Father in heaven, Your Word is sweeter than honey, more desirable than gold, and more vital than food to the starving man. Truly, as You said, we do not live by bread alone, but by what comes from Your mouth . Write Your words on our hearts and in our minds, that we might live accordingly.  Fill us with the knowledge of Your will, through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that we might live a life worthy of You, pleasing You, and bearing good fruit.  Strengthen us by Your glorious might we ask.  Thank You for bringing us into Your Kingdom, qualifying us to share in the inheritance of the saints. Amen.