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Happy Monday, {{first_name | everyone}}!
At the start of a new week, we often have our plans and purposes dictating how we want things to go. This week’s verses teach us how to submit it all to the Lord.
Note: Even if you’ve already memorized Proverbs 3:5-6 before, don’t check out — there is still much to glean from this week’s emails! If that’s you, take this week to really lean into meditating on these verses and wrestling with what it would look like to apply it to your life right now.
In today's email…
💡 Why the book of Proverbs is more than good advice
📖 An invitation to read Proverbs 3 in three different ways
🎵 A song to help you memorize and meditate…
MEMORIZE 🧠
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.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Want to memorize in your favorite translation? Try our new iPhone app here.
CONTEXT 📕
Two chapters before the verses we’re covering this week, the Book of Proverbs opens by introducing the author of the following wise sayings and insightful ideas.
It also tells us the purpose of this collection of proverbs:
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
What happened to make Solomon so wise? Where did he get this wisdom from?
One of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in 1 Kings, chapter 3, where God gives young King Solomon a tempting choice:
5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.”
Solomon’s humble response?
7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.
9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
Solomon asked for wisdom to lead God’s people well.
And because he didn’t demand a selfish wish (v11), God actually gave Solomon what he asked for!
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.
32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. 33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. 34 And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
As we journey deeper into Proverbs 3:5-6 this week, let’s remember that it is more than good advice.
This is wisdom straight from the Lord.
APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃♂
📖 Read Proverbs chapter 3, three times:
The first time, read it quickly.
The second time, read it out loud.
The third time, read it once more out loud but this time, very slowly.
🙏 Pray
Father and Creator God, you are exalted above the earth. Your wisdom has no end. Everything is from you and for you. You are my all in all. Open my heart to receive your wisdom this week to live life well in the time you’ve given me. Help me to trust in you and align my path to your way. Amen.
SONG OF THE WEEK 🎵
Pay-it-forward subscribers, enjoy the song we created below to help you memorize the verse of the week!
SCRIPTURE MEMORY SONG OF THE WEEK 🎵
Pay-it-forward subscribers, enjoy the song we created below to help you memorize the verse of the week!
It looks like you don't currently pay-it-forward. If you'd like to, you can do that here.
SONG OF THE WEEK 🎵
This week's song is Proverbs 3:5-7 by the Verses project. It’s a meditative song that makes a great soundtrack for this week.
ANSWER KEY ✅
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.
Proverbs 3:5-6
See you in your inbox tomorrow!
Best,
The Malachi Daily team 🙏
Today’s Contributors
Eljoh is a South African writer, editor, and artist with a Master’s in Practical Theology. She creates resources to help believers of all ages abide in Christ and grow in faith. Explore more free resources and creative tools at Vine Creative Studio.
Kieran is a husband and father of 4 living in NJ. In addition to Malachi Daily, he writes a personal newsletter about the intersection of faith, fatherhood and entrepreneurship.
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