Good Question - Day 03
Day 03: Wednesday, April 19
Read Proverbs 3
Highlight
Verses 5 & 6 carry two promises: one direct and the other implied. Trust God fully, with total commitment, and He will make your paths straight. As we discussed yesterday, the picture is one of God keeping you on a path that leads to purpose and joy that also lacks the “splinters” found on the paths of our own understanding. This is a promise we ought to claim in faith because our God is a Promise-Keeper.
The implied promise is in verse 6. Verse 6 is translated many different ways. In some English translations we are told to acknowledge him in all our ways. In other translations we are told to seek His will in all our ways. Still others tell us to submit to him in all of our ways. The reasons for all of these different translations is that they are trying to capture an amazing promise from the original Hebrew language. Literally, the phrase in Hebrew is “in all your ways know him.” But to know someone in Hebrew vernacular is not just to know of them, but rather it reflects the intimate experience of a personal relationship. The implied promise is that the more you choose to trust him the more you will know him like you would know a friend. If you want to have the kind of faith that changes the world around you, it requires that you trust God. But you will not trust Him until you have risked choosing to abandon your own understanding and found that He is faithful to make your paths straight.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Proverbs 3
Highlight
Verses 5 & 6 carry two promises: one direct and the other implied. Trust God fully, with total commitment, and He will make your paths straight. As we discussed yesterday, the picture is one of God keeping you on a path that leads to purpose and joy that also lacks the “splinters” found on the paths of our own understanding. This is a promise we ought to claim in faith because our God is a Promise-Keeper.
The implied promise is in verse 6. Verse 6 is translated many different ways. In some English translations we are told to acknowledge him in all our ways. In other translations we are told to seek His will in all our ways. Still others tell us to submit to him in all of our ways. The reasons for all of these different translations is that they are trying to capture an amazing promise from the original Hebrew language. Literally, the phrase in Hebrew is “in all your ways know him.” But to know someone in Hebrew vernacular is not just to know of them, but rather it reflects the intimate experience of a personal relationship. The implied promise is that the more you choose to trust him the more you will know him like you would know a friend. If you want to have the kind of faith that changes the world around you, it requires that you trust God. But you will not trust Him until you have risked choosing to abandon your own understanding and found that He is faithful to make your paths straight.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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