ROOTED - Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Proverbs 3:5-8

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.

Reflection: Good Wisdom in Proverbs

Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro

Proverbs
1:7 announces the point of the book… the main point: “The fear of the Lord is
the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” While Psalms
is part of the collection of books called the “wisdom literature,” it is clear
that the main theme of the book of Proverbs is, in fact, wisdom. Solomon, as
you know, was the wisest man who ever lived, and the collection of wise sayings
and precepts in Proverbs are profound, Solomon having written most of the book.
And the first announcement in verse 7 of chapter 1 sets the stage: you must
fear God… and don’t be foolish by avoiding wisdom.

Chapter
3 offers for us more great insight… a passage of scripture you may have
memorized in Sunday School: Trust in the Lord will all your heart and do not
lean to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will
direct your path! This seems like the absolute most basic counsel: in
everything you do, consider God! When I buy my house… consider God (“acknowledge
him”). When you decide to get married, acknowledge him. When you choose a
church, acknowledge him. When you make big parenting decisions, or career
moves, acknowledge him. When you decide your budget or buy your car,
acknowledge him. When you determine what college to attend, what field of study
to pursue, or the friends you will keep, acknowledge him. In all your ways,
acknowledge him. It seems to me that wisdom has made this piece of advice so
simple, profound, and comprehensive: acknowledge God in all you do. I wonder
how much better my life might have gone, and disasters I may have avoided, if I
had acknowledged God more in my past in my everyday decisions.

Prayer

Heavenly
Father, help us to acknowledge you in all our ways, and make habits to consider
you when we make decisions.