“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3, 4).
Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name that is above every name, the Name of Jesus, Your beloved Son, and our Savior. Please help us not to take Your name in vain, by the things we say and do, but rather, may we lift You up, so that the world will see You in all Your love and mercy, and be drawn to You! This is my prayer in the saving Name of Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen!
Today we will continue studying about the blessings that can be ours by remaining within the will of God, and being obedient. In our last devotional we discovered two very special blessings: Long life and peace!
Today we are promised favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man! We all like to be appreciated. To some it means the world, to others it is not that important. Nevertheless, it is something to be desired.
Let me share with you, a verse that I believe will add to the importance of the blessing we will be looking at today.
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52, italics, supplied).
Jesus, the Savior of the world, found favor with God and human beings. That makes it something that is worth having, don’t you agree? But wait! It depends on what makes us deserving of the favor.
Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature. As He grew older, He grew wiser! Now that is something to be desired! All of us grow older, but not all of us grow wiser; unfortunately!
I went to the Old Testament Dictionary in the Hebrew-Greek Bible, KJV, and found some rather interesting qualities in divine wisdom, the kind of wisdom Jesus had, and which is of greatest value.
“4678, sophia— wisdom (II) (C) In respect to divine things, wisdom, knowledge, insight, deep understanding, represented everywhere as a divine gift, and including the idea of practical application.
(III) The wisdom of God means the divine wisdom, including the idea of infinite skill, insight, knowledge, purity (Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 1:21, 24; Ephesians 1:8; 3;10; Colossians 2:3; Revelation 5:12; 7:12). Of the divine wisdom as revealed and manifested in Christ and His gospel (Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:35; 11:49).”
These are gifts and qualities that are priceless. As Christians we desire to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5) and a Christlike character to represent our Savior before the world. Divine wisdom makes this possible.
Here is where the beginning of our text for today comes in. As we seek to remain in the will of God, we are admonished, “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart (italics supplied).”
In this way we develop into disciples of Christ, who find high esteem and favor with God and our fellow human beings. It is not enough to know the will of God, but by His grace to remain in it. And the way in which we accomplish this, is, as we studied in the previous series, having the Covenant within, having it written on our hearts!
Notice how all of the word of God, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, come together in perfect harmony, helping us to fully understand the word of God, and to be prepared for the soon coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
In our next devotional we will continue this study in the Book of Proverbs!
NOTE: My regrets for the late publications of the devotionals during the month of May. Plans are being made to be caught up by the end of the month. Your prayers and understanding are very much appreciated.
Mabel