Proverbs 3:22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck
For years of my life other people, habits, or my own desires had control of my life. From around the age of fourteen, I spent many years as an alcoholic, oh it was well covered up, and I could convince myself through my intentions [I always intended to stop] that I was in control. I would stop drinking, sometimes for months.
Then some trigger or lapse in judgment would draw me back in and cause me to think that I could just have one drink. I usually did just have one drink, but it lasted all night, and into the next day, and days. I had an internal thirst that an external substance would never satisfy – but I sure did try. For years of my life alcohol had its foot on my neck and its hand in my pocket.
I damaged my health, ruined relationships, and lost opportunities, as I partied myself into oblivion night after night. The toll on my inner man was too much at times. I would lock myself away for two or three days at a time and then come out of my cottage and be glad to feel normal again. I really want you the reader to understand, that I am not in any way trying to glorify these days. They were shocking and selfish. That I lived to tell the crazy stories of friendships and madness is only God’s grace.
Now, today, and for the last thirty-six years (at the writing of this) I have trusted Jesus with my life. My mind is at peace, my heart is loving the adventure, and my inner man is the healthiest I have ever been, day and day. Following after the wisdom of God has truly brought life to my soul.
KNOWLEDGE
The “they” being positioned here are wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (verses 19 and 20). Having these three qualities brings vigour, sustainability, and purpose to our lives. We stay at things longer, we will have tenacity (self-control and patience). Our emotions will be in a healthy place, we will have an abundance of peace, kindness, gentleness, and goodness flowing to us and through us each day. We will know the wellness of the soul in every season.
In ancient kingdoms, when the king was conquered, the conquering king would publicly put his foot on the neck of the now vanquished king. There was no doubt to anyone as to who was now in charge. When our necks are adorned with wisdom, understanding and knowledge we are showing publicly who is in charge, who is the King of our life. Wisdom is moral kindness, Jesus is the seat of true moral kindness, Jesus is the seat of all knowledge and understanding as all things were made by him – He is the living Word of God.
Therefore as evidence that Jesus is in charge of our lives, other people will see that in our most vulnerable places, at our most vulnerable times, love rules, joy reigns, and peace refreshes. As it says in Galatians 5:22-23 – “but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”. We are no longer under the curse of the law as in the Old Testament, a new King has set up a new Kingdom, and as we surrender all to him, he adorns our neck and prospers our soul.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The Hebrew word for “life” is pronounced “hay” and appears 490 times in the Old Testament. It is translated into the English language as, life; living thing; beasts; well of spring water [Gen 26:19]; alive; and, raw flesh. In our verse [Prov 3:22] we see the idea of our souls being truly alive through an ongoing encounter with, and obedience to, the wisdom of God. I so desire my soul to be truly alive each day.
WISDOM: what do people see in you when you are vulnerable?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Context brings fruit from the lessons of the past. Stay open to change.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [God’s ways will sustain me in all seasons, will bring me life to the very centre of my being and favour to the vulnerable areas of my life.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me to always have your ways in my thoughts and actions, and to tell others how good you are. Thank you.
Scroll down and leave a thought or comment………
Thankyou Pastor Allan
There is much to be said for who will you turn to when the going gets tuff. Will your faith still be as evident to those around you. The value of wisdom can never be understated. I prayed for it last night.
Good morning pastor Alan, I woke up this morning and read your text and thought about everything you had wrote and made me realise what life was all about in the 90s , addicted to drugs and deceiving myself and my family , and I can only say that through Gods Grace and love that we are still together and turned our love around instead of us living a worldly love and in a very materialistic world and after he found us (John 15/16), he has continued to direct our path straight (pro 3.vs 5) we are sooooo “BLESSED” that we wake up knowing that we have Jesus directing our paths 🙏🏿, thank you pastor, you inspire us to seek him more
Therefore as evidence that Jesus is in charge of our lives, other people will see that in our most vulnerable places, at our most vulnerable times, love rules, joy reigns, and peace refreshes. Love that!
Again, very timely encouragement during a very painful season. It is possible with Christ to find peace and strength even in the hardest of times. He has brought me through time after time after time and I have no doubt that He will continue and that knowing gives me courage to keep going.
A soul that is alive and an obvious difference in who I am is the result of Jesus being Lord of my life. I love it and how true it is. His presence in any life is life changing and with Him anything can be overcome because with Him all things are possible. Thanks Allan for sharing your journey and by the way, I’m great, thanks for asking in your sms reminder!
This spoke to my heart this morning ”We will know wellness of the soul in every season.”
The Passion Translation puts ”they strengthen you inside and out and inspire you to do what’s right; you will be energised and refreshed by the healing they bring.”
“have your ways in my thoughts and actions, and to tell others of how good you are.” This is truly beautiful. A life pursuit Thank you Pastor Allan, just beautiful.
I think we all have stories to tell of when we were young. But God in His infinite mercy found us at the most critical time in our lives. God’s timing is always perfect. Once condemned now saved under God’s grace. I am so grateful each day to be saved from all the garbage I carried for years..
What do people see in me when I’m vulnerable ,?
When we face challenging situations .,our flesh would make us behave in a selfish manner.
But through Christ we learn to produce the fruits of his spirit which is love joy peace patience kindness gentleness goodness faithfulness and self control.
This is God’s heart for us.
With Gods grace and mercy we strive every day to be the best version of our selves.
On our own it’s impossible, but through him we renew our minds and make a conscious effort to live for him ,that our life would be a testimony of his love grace and mercy .
Thank you pastor Allan
Thank you, Pastor Allan, for sharing this message and your own personal story. But for God’s wisdom and timely intervention, we would be lost. Through His wisdom, to know peace, joy and wellness all our lives is more valuable than anything on earth. And to be such a shining example to young readers, brings hope to many lost souls.
Blessed word Allan thank you . Your testimony speaks volumes of the grace of a loving Father and Saviour over your life!
Your version of this verse,” God’s ways will sustain me in all seasons, will bring me life to the very centre of my being and favour to the vulnerable areas of my life.”] is a blessing over me today
I have watched over this season God sustain me and bring favour to the vulnerable areas of my life so incredibly. With his word and direction to explore his word I’ve experienced the blessing and favour and it has opened my eyes to more of Him that makes my life fulfilled in the midst of adversity and uncertainty Amen ! He is faithful !
Great testimony and the now what you are displaying the fruit of the Spirit of God in the most vulnerable situation!
You reminded me of what the fruit of the Spirit does; from the book of “EXPLORING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT “ by Beth Moore:
(Gal 5:22-23 )
Love-Never fails
Joy-Comes
Peace-Rules
Patience-Waits
Kindness-Tenders
Goodness-Does
Faith-Fights
Gentleness-Bows
Self-control-Stops
( Sisterhood Bible study 2019)Hope it was appropriate to share!
Thank you Ps Allan.
Thankyou for the knowledge on this verse Allan, very true words !
Thank you Pastor Allan for being so transparent & giving God all the glory!!
This verse again reinforces the mercy & kindness of a loving Father reaching down to rescue His precious child. Only for His grace where would I be? How many futile attempts does it take trying to fix myself in my own strength & pride before I realise I can do very little without God’s wisdom knowledge & understanding to live a purposeful & truly meaningful life. Surrendering control & being obedient to His voice & ways in my life on a daily basis is the only way the fruit of the Spirit can be outworked in me & to find what His Word describes as the abundant life He wants to give me. It’s always about more of Him & less of me!
Thanks again for your vulnerability and giving us courage to open up more too but also reflect the love of Jesus and his redemption in the fruit of the spirit xx
Thank you Pastor Allan for sharing your testimony.
When we trust Jesus in our lives, our mind and heart is at peace. God sustains us in all our seasons.
what do people see in you when you are vulnerable?
This is a good question and a great reminder for me personally.
I also love this Ps Allan – God’s ways will sustain me in all seasons, will bring me life to the very centre of my being and favour to the vulnerable areas of my life. Thank you.