Proverbs 3:16 “long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour”
One of the greatest riches we can find in our lives is a heart for others.
Years ago I selected a man for his first promotion in a large organisation. He was mature, a good worker, very humble and skilled. It was not a senior role but more like the head of a very small team in a larger department. As the weeks went by his performance was not what I had expected. The production numbers were poor and his attendance started to suffer, with regular days off sick. I went to his house to visit and see if he was ok one day and met his wife, who told me her husband was an alcoholic and recently it had suddenly started up again and got a lot worse. I was shocked and wanted to know if I could help in any way. We would deal with the results separately as we cared for him.
We put help and support in place for this man, he was slow and resistant most of the time. He believed he could beat this on his own.
One of the other oversights that worked with me was also a Christian man and he became aware of the issue through his existing connection to the family.
He and I met every night for weeks and prayed for this man. God somehow put such deep care, concern and love for this man, who I did not really know all that well outside of work, it surprised me. We prayed intercessory prayers, which was a new experience for me then as a young Christian.
There was such depth and emotion in the prayer times, and such a vibrant connection with heaven, as if Jesus was in the room with us as we prayed (I know he is, but we don’t always feel that). One day the prayers felt like they were done, and that day there was a change in the man. He stepped down from the role as the pressure was too much for him, but he focused on his well being and his family and got help, as well as becoming open to the gospel message for the first time.
I was so grateful to God that he could give us a genuine heart for another person, it’s such a beautiful honour to take part in intercessory prayer.
KNOWLEDGE
Again we are referencing back a few verses to verse 13. Finding wisdom. For Solomon, wisdom was found in his relationship with God. Our relationship with God is through Christ, and so when we think of wisdom, we connect this to Jesus, who is the source of all wisdom. When we discover Christ [actually when he finds us] we encounter true and pure wisdom.
Christ is at the right hand of God, (Acts 7:55-56) and He has won eternal life for us. So this phrase, “long life is in her right hand” has a foreshadow of Christ. We can see a glimpse of Jesus here in the heart of the Old Testament. Jesus is sat at the right hand of God, all his enemies defeated, including death, and so he has there, in His safe-keeping, for every one of us who will come to him, long [eternal] life. The same hand that was used to deliver Israel, will deliver us from sin and death.
In his left hand are his riches and glory, to share with us. These riches are not essentially the riches of the world, although that may be a small part of it at times. However, these riches are more connected to the glory of God, of those things that will bring glory to God. Things such as peace, gentleness, forgiveness, sanctification, righteousness, grace, mercy and so much more.
So here we have the picture of Christ, [wisdom] who we are seeking with all our heart, mind and strength. And as we discover him he has for us eternal life and riches beyond cost.
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 idea of “right hand” is captured by the Hebrew word pronounced “yamiyn”. This word is used 141 times in the Old Testament. It’s nearly always translated as a right hand with one time translated as “southward” and twice used to describe people who had unusually strong left hands. The right was considered to be culturally stronger, the right-hand seat was the greatest honour, right hands were used as a pledge of fidelity.
WISDOM: what results are you focused on today?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Significance – you desperately want to make a lasting and recognisable difference, when you get success, shine the light on your team
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [a continual season of the greatest extent is a blessing and a guide from wisdom. Enveloped in wisdom are growth, favour, wealth, and status.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me please to continually grow in stature and favour with man and you. Thank you.
Scroll down and leave your thought………
The man who was heading for destruction in his work and family, was redeemed and blessed because two people God put in his life. The right people!
The power of prayer and the love and compassion and wisdom of God , added another soul to the Kingdom of God!
How wonderful when God intervene!
Wisdom leads ultimately to blessings.
How wonderful is to have Godly leadership.
I pray that more and more God fearing,wise and discerning leaders will be in every workplaces!
People are valued than the products and production.
Thank you for the insight Ps Allan.
Thank you.
The two rewards of wisdom, long life and riches and honour. I saw an article yesterday that briefly mentioned the oldest person in America, an African/American lady celebrating her 116th birthday. That’s a long life and she looked good. Some people are old at 50 while others are spiritedly at 97 such as a retired WW2 Admiral I heard interviewed the other day and he spoke as though at 97 he could still command the navy he once did. Yes, long life is one part of the reward of wisdom but even better is the richness of that life that leads to honour!
Thank you Jesus that that’s what you have done for us!
Interesting story Allan
Pastor Allan
I love how the power of prayer and intercession came out in your story.
God answers prayer even if it’s in a way we might not expect.
My prayer today would be to continue asking God for wisdom, so that every day I will learn and be transformed to be a better version of who he has called me to be,
To consciously be reminded of his love grace and mercy 🙏
Beautiful word Allan
The power of prayer and intercessory prayer , a heart for another and patience gave that man a new life Amen ! What a blessing to that family x
Our reward for living this life unto the Lord will be a long life with the Father . What a wonderful life that will be. The riches of heaven are ours for eternity.
A beautiful story, where, when a person was helpless and drowning in defeat, God placed two people with love, compassion and understanding to intercede for him.
Their powerful prayers, day after day, finally brought about the desired turn around.
God bless the people who have such selflessness and compassion for others.
Thank you again Pastor Allan for inspiring me!
This scripture speaks to me of how beautiful God’s Hands are & so filled with abundant blessings He’s so wanting to pour out on me! Seeking His wisdom (Christ)is the key to not only being blessed in my own life but even greater in seeing others coming to Christ & seeing their lives transformed which is the merciful heart of the Father! How comforting to know Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, the place of highest honour which He so deserves, interceding on my behalf. What great promises of eternal life through Christ & being given the opportunity to bring God glory in our lives on earth!!
I was so grateful to God that he could give us a genuine heart for another person, it’s such a beautiful honour to take part in intercessory prayer. – love that.
Thank you for sharing this story.
Love the strength thought – shine the light on your team. Thank you for the reminder that each day we can be His hands and feet to those around us.
Riches that bring glory to God … what am I doing that brings glory to God and what riches do I have that make Him smile at his daughter?