1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Many of Proverbs' sayings will seem counterintuitive or contrary to our first impulses. For instance, Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." We easily agree—to have lots of good counselors is helpful—but my point here is that the fool's initial impulse will be to feel things out for themselves, trust their instincts alone, or listen to people just like them, which is akin to listening to themselves. Their first reaction will not be what God declares is the wise way. Here is another from Proverbs 11:24: "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want." Again, the point is that our first impulse is to resist the generosity this proverbs describes as it can feel so unnatural, but God's wisdom will often feel that way at first but will give way to flourishing if followed over time. Here's one more: Proverbs 15:1 says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Again, many people, God-fearers or not, would agree with this statement, but my point is that in the moment someone's wrath is overflowing onto us, we might not feel this wisdom to be true. We usually want to return the harsh words with harsh words of our own, which is why God's wisdom regarding a soft answer can feel so counterintuitive to us.

Time and time again, in Proverbs, we will come up against this counterintuitive wisdom of God. As we pass through life, there will be thousands of moments when God's ways will feel completely unnatural. What is a believer to do with this reality? If God's wisdom often feels uncomfortable but leads to abundant life if pursued, then how can we (more often) push through the discomfort? How can we overcome the impulses of the moment and freely choose God's way over and over again?

The answer, according to Proverbs 3:1-12, is trust. For us to go with God's wisdom over our base impulses, we must trust the God who gave us his wisdom in the first place. This concept is scattered all throughout this passage but is found most forcefully in the famous exhortation of 3:5-6: "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." If we can develop a rich and full trust in Yahweh, a trust so strong it means we won't lean on our limited understanding, then we will yield to his wisdom, leading us to walk the good paths Proverbs describes. In other words, we won't get on wisdom's good and life-giving path without trusting God. So Solomon presented God's wisdom to his son as completely worthy of his son's trust.

So we will approach this passage in the same way, as an exhortation to trust God's wisdom, by considering where trusting God's wisdom will lead us, what trusting in God's wisdom looks like, and how trusting God's wisdom is developed. In this passage, we will consider the destination of trust, the description of trust, and the drive of trust.

1. Its Destination

The first thing to note in this passage is the result of following God's wisdom. Where will God's wisdom lead us? What is its destination? For this, we must consider the structure of this speech. Solomon advised his son in six couplets. The first half of each was what his son should do—remember my teaching, trust in the Lord, honor the Lord, etc.—while the second half declared the benefits his son would experience if he walked in God's wisdom.

The promises this passage makes sound too good to be true—long life, prosperity, smooth paths. And some of us, thinking of the prosperity pastors and televangelists of our time, might be worried that this text could fall into the wrong hands. It is important to note that even this speech contains a balancing word. The final blessing is that of God's discipline or reproof (3:11-12). Not everything goes our way in life, and some of those difficulties are repurposed by God for our training.

It is true, as we saw in our last study that Deuteronomy 28 was Israel's rule—if they devoted themselves to God, they would have peace and prosperity—but there were exceptions to that rule all throughout the Old Testament. While David was in youthful innocence and devotion to Yahweh, his father-in-law chased him into wilderness hideouts. After Daniel lived a full life of allegiance to the Lord, jealousy got him thrown into the lions' den. Job was a faithful worshipper of God who prospered under God's hand before untold suffering and calamity avalanched onto his life for a time. And don't get me started on all the prophets—for their devotion to God's wisdom, they were tortured, beheaded, and generally rejected by their world. Indeed, the prosperity of the wicked is a confounding problem to the biblical sages, a problem that forced them to look afresh to Yahweh (see Psalm 73).

For believers, Christ is the ultimate corrective to the delusion that life is always peace and prosperity for those who trust in God. He came and was the perfect man—yet he suffered immensely for us. And now, our lives are meant to emulate his; we want to know the sufferings of his cross and the power of his resurrection (Phil. 3:10-11).

One last balancing word to all these promises of blessings is a question: have any of us trusted God at all times throughout our lives? Can any of us truly demand to have all these blessings because we have perpetually heard his teachings, trusted his wisdom, and chosen his path? I think not.

These qualifications aside, Solomon tells his son about a life that leads to many overlapping blessings. Please note how these blessings aren't portrayed as instantaneous but as delivered over long periods of time. The first blessing—length of days and years of life and peace—would be doled out slowly as the decades passed (3:2). The second blessing—favor and good success in the sight of God and man—is the blessing of a good reputation, and that takes years to build (3:4). The third blessing—straight paths from the Lord—invites us into a lifelong journey following his guidance or path (3:6). The fourth blessing of healing and refreshment can happen instantaneously, but usually, we heal and recharge slowly over time (3:8). The fifth blessing—plenteous barns and bursting vats—take years to develop as fields turn to crops, which turn to harvests, which turn to stored produce (3:10). Even the final blessing—the parental love of God—is felt over a long life walking with him (3:12).

The life described here—slow, steady, constructed over many years—is counter to the quick and easy narratives of our time. The good life is not built on beauty, fame, power, or greed. If you trust those elements for your satisfaction, you will always be left disappointed—you will never be attractive enough, famous enough, powerful enough, or wealthy enough. Plus, so often, the beauty fades, the fame shifts, the power corrupts, and the wealth isolates. Solomon does not propose instantaneous benefits to his son but a steadily long and beautiful life with God for all who trust his wisdom.

We should be moved by the promises he makes and rejoice that a life trusting God and his wisdom leads to such good outcomes, but we must remember that these outcomes are not quick or easy, they are hardwon, rich blessings that go down deep. Trusting God and his wisdom is like watching a forest grow—grass and wildflowers come and go with each passing season, while a strong forest takes years to develop but is much more enduring and impressive. Trusting God and his wisdom is like a slow, safe investment rather than a get-rich-quick scheme. Trusting God and his wisdom is like a powerful and enduring marriage—little flings can't hold a candle to the bond and strength of deep marital love. Trusting God and his wisdom is like high-quality Mexican food—it requires time and effort, and Taco Bell can't compare!

2. Its Description

Now that we've considered the destination trusting God's wisdom will take us, we can consider Solomon's description of trust. What does trust in God look like? His teaching is helpful because it keeps us from using trite phrases—just trust God—and moving on as if nothing changed. What did Solomon mean when he told his son to trust in the Lord with all his heart?

First, we are to trust the Lord more than we trust ourselves. Solomon told his son, "Do not lean on your own understanding" (3:5). The son should instead hear the teaching and commandments of his father, which in this case were stand-ins for Yahweh's teaching and law (3:1). He had to be careful not to become wise in his own eyes, which is an interesting exhortation because of the nature of Proverbs as a book teaching us about the life of skill. When we heed it, our lives will inevitably improve and we might even begin to look like we know what we're doing! We might be tempted to start trusting ourselves more than the Lord.

Our society has been developing for hundreds of years, but it has blossomed into one where many of us trust our inner voice more than anyone or anything else. Be true to yourself. Follow your heart. We are told to question everything except our right, ability, and skill to question everything.[^1] But trusting ourselves is like leaning on a broken crutch. We need to trust the Lord more than we trust ourselves.

Second, we are to trust the Lord with our finances. Solomon told his son, "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce" (3:9). As he prospered, this young man was to take the first of what God gave him and deposit it back into God's care. Ancient Israel was supposed to celebrate Yahweh by sacrificing the first of their crops to him, and Solomon felt his son should do the same. In their Old Testament setting, honoring God with their wealth would have included tithing (giving a tenth to God), sporadic free-will offerings also to God, and other forms of charity and generosity to God and others.

Where does that leave us? Money is a significant area we need to trust God. I know groceries are getting more expensive, but for some perspective, I remind you that we live in a moment of unparalleled prosperity. By many metrics—the standard of living, lifespans, health, or total GDP—we are the wealthiest people who have ever roamed the earth. The food we eat, the clothing we wear, the places we go, the homes we occupy—all of it is nearly unheard of in human history. Abundance is the name of our game, and we must make sure we honor the Lord with all that wealth. There are people to love, a mission to support, and character to build through generosity. Christians are called to use their finances to support gospel work and help with the needs they are exposed to throughout life. When we honor God with our wealth in this way, we gain power over money and the false sense of security it gives us.

Third, we are to trust the Lord in difficult times. Solomon told his son, "Do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof" (3:11). When troubles inevitably came into his life, Solomon's son should have seen at least some of them as God's shaping and training in his life.

There are some forms of pain and suffering that can be understood as God's training or discipline. When the fiance breaks up with you, when the sickness sets in, or when the finances get low, we can often see God at work, making and molding us to be more like Jesus. We expect trials, and we expect him to use those trials in our lives. As we pass through those trials, however, trust in the Lord keeps us faithful to him, leaning on him with the confidence that he is doing a good work in our lives (see Rom. 8:28).

But there are also some forms of suffering that have a different caliber of intensity, which feel too strong for us to think of as God's training hand. When the fatal prognosis is given, when the airplane crashes, or when abusive violence occurs, it is much harder for us to chalk it up to God's training. We know what God's gym feels like, but these—and many other evils of this world—feel like a million pounds thrown onto our backs. It is too much.

For that level of evil and suffering, we must remember Jesus. He endured more than the mere trials and difficulties of human life but the intense agony of the cross. He did all that so that one day, all the evil and brokenness that confounds and perplexes us will be wrapped up and forever banished from his kingdom. One day, he will wipe away every tear, and death and sorrow will be no more.

3. Its Drive

Finally, let's consider what drives us to trust the Lord with all our hearts in the first place. Solomon pleaded with his son, "Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart" (3:3). Steadfast love and faithfulness are common terms used to describe God's nature toward his people, covenantal virtues that emphasize God's loyal love for his children. Solomon wanted his son to look like Yahweh, to display love and loyalty through his own life like jewelry is displayed on someone's neck (3:3). And for this to occur, it was important for his son to allow God's steadfast love and faithfulness to be written on his heart.

What drives us to trust God? Not exhortations and reminders to do so, but a heart filled and fueled by God's steadfast love and faithfulness. The more we internalize God's committed love and steadfast devotion to us, the more we know him to be gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness, showing steadfast love to thousands of generations, the more we will trust him. To be convinced of his character, to know his nature, helps us sense he is trustworthy. Having his steadfast love written on our hearts helps us trust him more than we trust ourselves because his love pure and good, so it cannot be mixed with evil motives. Having his steadfast love written on our hearts helps us trust him with our finances because we are confident our loving Father will provide for us. Having his steadfast love written on our hearts helps us trust him in difficult times. First, because we know he might be parenting us through that difficulty. Second, because we look to the cross and know he endured the most difficult pains to deliver us to his steadfast love forever.

So, what drives us to trust God with all our hearts? It is an internal confidence about God's steadfast love and faithfulness. For that reason, let's conclude by thinking about ways we can write steadfast love and faithfulness onto our hearts. The wise life is not built in a moment. It is forged over a lifetime of trusting God, step by step, season by season, so what can we do during those long seasons to become more convinced of his nature? How is his character written on our hearts?

Through repeated exposure to God's character in Scripture. What we dwell on determines what gets written onto our hearts. If we continually meditate on God’s steadfast love and faithfulness in his Word, it can take root in our inner being.
By preaching the message of God's steadfast love to ourselves throughout the day. We often let our emotions, circumstances, and fears preach to us. But instead, we must take control of the narrative and preach the truth of God’s steadfast love to own hearts.
By remembering and recounting his faithfulness in our lives. Throughout the Bible, God’s people were called to remember his past faithfulness so they would trust him in the present, and we can do the same.
Through daily worship habits. Prayer, worship, fasting, and other disciplines help align our hearts with his love and truth.
By surrounding ourselves with a godly community that will remind us of who God is. When we struggle to trust, we need the voices of godly spiritual leaders, friends, mentors, and church family to speak wisdom and encouragement into our lives.

[^1]: Keller, Proverbs

Study Questions

Head (Knowledge, Facts, Understanding)

1. According to Proverbs 3:1-12, what are some of the promises associated with trusting in God’s wisdom? How does Solomon structure these promises?

2. How does Proverbs 3:5-6 define trust? What does it mean to “lean not on your own understanding” and to “acknowledge Him in all your ways”?

3. What role does God’s discipline play in wisdom, according to Proverbs 3:11-12? How does this challenge common assumptions about suffering?

Heart (Feelings, Impressions, Desires)

4. Have you ever experienced a time when trusting in God felt counterintuitive or difficult? How did you respond?

5. Which of the promises in Proverbs 3:1-12 resonates most deeply with you right now? Why?

6. How does understanding God’s steadfast love and faithfulness shape your ability to trust Him more fully?

Hands (Actions, Commitments, Decisions, Beliefs)

7. What specific area of your life do you need to entrust more fully to God’s wisdom instead of your own understanding?

8. How can you practically “write steadfast love and faithfulness on your heart” this week? (Consider Scripture meditation, preaching to yourself, or surrounding yourself with godly influences.)

9. In what ways can you cultivate a life of honoring the Lord with your resources, decisions, and responses to challenges?