God’s Heart is for His children. Any discussion about the words, will, or wisdom of God needs to start from a place of assuming God’s goodness and that His deepest desire is for His glory and our joy. What is most holy, honorably right, and pure is also what is most ultimately profitable for us.

Our Heart’s Direction (3:1-12) – Our perspective and understanding are both limited and flawed. Trusting ourselves alone, apart from God, will not lead to our wholeness but our harm. When our hearts are tuned to trust the Lord, and our lives follow His paths, we can experience healing and refreshment. Prosperity, abundant life, and favor are graciously given to us by God. God is a loving father who disciplines and delights in us.

Tree of Life (3:13-20) – No earthly wealth or worldly treasure can compare to the immeasurable riches of life in communion with our God. Solomon compares wisdom to the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, fruit which both sustains and satisfies as we dwell in relationship with God. Creation itself is evidence of the wisdom and purposes of the Lord. In order to navigate and enjoy life in this world, we should seek the wisdom and will of the one who created both us and the world.

Safe and Secure (3:21-35) – Keeping wisdom and discretion close do not just guide us towards greater life and flourishing. They are also a source of comfort and security during times of difficulty. We can rest secure and fearless knowing the Lord is our keeper. We can walk with confidence and courage when we are walking with the Lord. This confidence does not lead us to cockiness but humility and care for those around us.

We do not earn security or deserve prosperity; they are gifts of grace from God. Just as we are not to withhold what is good or plan evil for others, God does not hold out on or withhold from us. God grants us rest in Christ and has promised to bless us with an eternal inheritance. We need not fear the storms when we know Jesus, the captain of the storm.

Questions:

What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Did you learn anything new about God or yourself? What did you learn about our hearts and God’s heart for us?

Why is it important to know the character and nature of God as good, loving, wise, and powerful? How does our understanding of God’s character impact how we respond to His words and wisdom?

When have you been wise in your own eyes? What was the outcome of trusting your understanding apart from God’s?

How does repentance and trusting in the Lord, including obedience, help us experience healing and wholeness? How does God’s unmerited grace to us give us both confidence and rest?

PRAY - Praise God the Father who created all things and created them “good”. As the Holy Spirit to show us where we are leaning on our own understanding and empower us to trust the Lord with our whole heart. Thank Jesus for walking with us through our storms and leading us to a place of refuge and rest.