Proverbs 3
Scripture
Psalm 2:32
For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.
Observation
As Paul continues to extol the benefits of wisdom, he points out that wisdom brings long life, prosperity, health and favor with both God and man; and that it should never be far from our thoughts and meditations. Also, Paul cautions against arrogance and pride, encouraging the wise to always be humble before the Lord. Paul then says that the wise person is one who honors the Lord with his wealth and first-fruits giving. Finally, Paul describes the wisdom of accepting the discipline of the Lord as a sign of His love and care for us and that we are His children and He, our Father.
Understanding
The life of the Apostle John shows us that there is a special quality of relationship available to those who walk closely and intimately with the Lord. John was privy to some of the most personal and private moments of Jesus’ life. John was one of the “inner circle” of the disciples who, along with James and Peter, was often called aside from the others for a special revelation of Jesus. John was present at the Transfiguration; he was reclining against the Savior’s bosom at the Last Supper and only to Him did Jesus reveal who would be His betrayer. John was the only disciple who did not give in to the temptation of sleep at Gethsemane and, because he kept watch with our Lord as He agonized in prayer and decision, witnessed the most intimate and private moment of communion between Jesus and The Father. After all had deserted Jesus, it was only John who stayed by his Lord’s side and the only disciple still in service and devotion at the foot of the Cross. I believe it was this lifetime of selfless dedication to and fearless identification with Jesus that earned John the honor of caring for Mary after Jesus’ death and the privilege of receiving the Revelation of Jesus Christ and the end times prophecies that he authored those many years later from his place of exile on the Isle of Patmos. Truly, John’s upright life earned him the right, perhaps like no other, to be taken into the Lord’s confidence.
Life Application
The intimacy and special revelation of Jesus that John experienced cannot be appropriated from afar. Peter followed Jesus from far off and ended up denying his Lord. If I do not want to find myself, like Peter, weeping bitterly in the night because of my cowardice and failure, then I dare not wander from my Savior’s side. Abiding in Christ and walking in His righteousness, in intimate and unbroken fellowship, is not merely my only defense against Peter’s fall, but also my only hope to know both the deeper mysteries and a fuller revelation of God.
To check out the discussion or to join in, click here
-Gary Parker