03.20.24
‘A Quiet Integrity’
My son, let them not depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion. (Proverbs 3:21)
Once again, we find that the third chapter of Proverbs is challenging us to a life of ‘Whole-hearted Discipleship.’ It is a life lived fully for the Lord Jesus while we have breath.
Thus far we have seen that this involves a ‘ Glad Commitment’ (1-12).
Furthermore, it can be described as a ‘Patient Quest’ (13-20).
We now come to the end of this chapter and see that it also includes a life characterized by ‘Quiet Integrity’ (21-35). This will be our focus today.
The basis for a life of quiet integrity is the ability to rightly manage the sound principles God has provided. These principles have been enunciated in the previous verses in the chapter.
They include trusting in the Lord and His Word, giving to Him our firstfruits, and properly responding to any correction He feel’s we need.
My son, let not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: (21). This verse harkens back particularly to verse 13. We are to esteem the principles of God’s Word with high regard, more even than earthly treasures of gold and rubies. The precious precepts of God’s Word should control one’s life. After all, God cannot lie, He never changes, and His way is perfect!
The pursuit of a life of quiet integrity brings blessed results. So shall they be life unto your soul, and grace to your neck. Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble. When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken (22-26).
This speaks of blessing to our inner man (our soul), and to our outer man (our neck). These two allusions mean that our life should be attractive to others.
We will have a safe walk during the day, and our nights will be peaceful and content. God will be with us in our difficulties so that we can have confidence in Him in our troubles.
Our minds might go back to the troubles of Job and Jonah and how they both gave them to the Lord, and He delivered them.
We are then given a display of this life of quiet integrity (27-35). What will it look like in my life? How will it be fleshed out? This we hope to take time to consider next week.
Please be reminded that a life of quiet integrity is not a life we live in order to gain favor with God so that He will forgive our sins. Sin can only be forgiven by the shedding of blood, and Jesus did that once for all of us at Calvary. When we place our faith in Him, He gives us the power to live this life of quiet integrity.
Have you turned from your sin and accepted His free gift of salvation? If we can be of any help to you spiritually, please feel free to call upon us.