September 3, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 3
Click above for full KJV Online

Today's Pathway:previous - - - - - - - - - - - - next
Click above to go directly to TP
Following Scripture Verses

1. My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4. So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12. For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19. The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22. So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33. The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34. Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Today's Pathway:
You may click on verses for Scripture

"When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet." - Proverbs 3:24

Solomon continues discussing the benefits of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in chapter three. In today's verse he lists a new benefit; the ability to lie down at night and sleep.

We live in a sleepless generation. For some people this is caused by a physical malady, and can not be helped. However, for many others, the problem exists not in the body, but in the soul. They go to be at night, but sleep does not come because of the thoughts that obsess them. Perhaps they lie there and worry about what is going to happen the next day. Perhaps they worry about the general direction that their lives, or the nation, is heading. Maybe they worry about what some evil man might do to them. Or perhaps their mind is not plagued by worry, but it it is overcome instead by guilt. They have unconfessed sin which must be dealt with, or maybe they have committed a transgression that they fear will be discovered. Perhaps instead they go to bed angry with someone; a spouse, a neighbor, or a fellow church member. Rather than go to sleep they lie there and stew about what has happened, and how they plan to exact their revenge.

The wise man doesn't have any of these concerns. He doesn't need to worry, for the Bible tells him to "Fret not" (Psalm 37:1)and to "Be careful for nothing" (Phil. 4:6). He has chosen to confess his sin, and has done his best not to transgress in the first place. He has chosen not to lose his temper, and he has dealt with any anger that he has felt. Because of this, he can lie down with a clear conscience, and he can have a peaceful, restful night's sleep.

How well do you sleep?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery