Wisdom’s Pathway is often uphill. When those moments of opportunity to be wise come, we have the assurance of trusting in the Lord with all of our hearts knowing that he whose words always prove true, who is a shield to those who take refuge in him, will make a crooked path straight. He calls us to walk and trust in him.

We see the widespread effects of those inhabitants of a city dedicated to acting foolishly. A pattern is developing. Unrestrained foolishness leads to destruction while the wise know how to hold back and flourish.

The rhythm of Proverbs 3:5-6 continues to carry us as we see here in these verses. Trusting in the Lord means enrichment. Trusting in the Lord means his directing our steps on Wisdom’s Way. The Pathway of Wisdom is a straight path that leads to deliverance.

Wisdom enables us to distinguish what truly matters. Ensure you are tending and keeping what will last forever. Wisdom’s perspective provides serenity. There is an endless joy when a heart aligns its ways with seeking God’s ways. Seeking God’s ways means trusting in him with all of our hearts, forever.

There is security in righteousness. Righteousness reveals itself in wise speech. A wise heart produces wise speech. The fruit of a foolish heart bears on the lips. May God let our speech be seasoned wisely to reveal our righteous pursuit down Wisdom’s Pathway.

Good news from a far country refreshes souls. The news followers of Jesus have is a refreshing message from a far country. The only soothing of a soul comes from this message God has given of salvation through Christ alone.

Our commission is to go to the perishing and rescue them through wise sayings. The heart of the wise saying of the Proverbs is to trust in the Lord with all your heart. Trusting God is at the heart of life. We are culpable if we see someone perishing and do nothing about it.

A wise warning against alcohol and drunkenness. Those who ask is it right to drink should consider the Proverbs and ask a different question. The Proverbs, again and again, warn about the dangers of beverage alcohol. Ask not, is it right to drink? Ask instead, is it wise to drink? The Proverbs is clear, drinking is a road marker on the pathway of folly. Wisdom calls us to avoid it.

Those closest to us should have the greatest benefit of our pursuing wisdom, especially those God has entrusted to our care – our children. Proverbs is a practical model of Deuteronomy 6 which encourages fathers and mothers to teach their children the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The point of this proverb is to show our children Wisdom’s Pathway and walk with them hand in hand leading them as they encounter the pitfalls and joys along the pathway. Our study of the Proverbs gives us road markers of the way we are to train our children to go.

Our wisest is foolishness to him. Our strongest is weakness. Any success we can amass comes from his good pleasure.

Our own judgment of ourselves is fraught with a narrowed focus, therefore we need something else to guide our steps other than our own ways. Thus the importance of revelation. Revelation is God’s voice piercing through the darkness saying, “This is the way walk in it.” Further, from verse 9 we also see the importance of redemption. Only the blood of Jesus can wash away all our sins.

The consequences of wisdom are no laughing matter. As these proverbs have expressed so far, keeping your foot firmly planted on Wisdom’s Way leads to life. Slipping off the straight and narrow means doom. I pray you have someone who will not scoff at you but instead will do what verse 25 encourages and correct when needed. The wise will accept correction that encourages walking wisely. The fool will despise such instruction.

Verse 24 ends Proverbs 18 the way we began with a word of comfort for one prone to isolation – there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. For those walking along Wisdom’s Way, you will find Jesus, who himself is Wisdom, to be such a friend. His friendship shows itself in every moment and lasts not for a lifetime, but for forever. What a friend we have in Jesus!

The poor but loving home is better than the rich home filled with strife. Love is always greater than hatred.

Depending upon the Lord means recognizing reality. Though we must cultivate attitudes that depend upon the Lord, depending upon God recognizes his position in all things. He is Lord and humanity moves and has their being in him.

Before we can be exalted we have to acknowledge our depravity, acknowledge our need for healing to our terminal condition called sin. God is telling us in these proverbs, The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

A king must rule from his heart, and his heart must be open to listening to the people (28), slow to anger (29), tranquil and free from evil (30), generous (31), just (32), wise (33), and righteous (34). A king who rules this way will be easily followed. A king like this is the favor we seek. Verse 35, a servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. Jesus is a king matching these descriptors perfectly. Jesus is a king worth following, forever. Those who have his favor will be with him forever. Those not in his favor has his wrath resting upon them, forever. The call of the Proverbs: Be wise and live.

The heart and the mouth are more connected than we might realize. Proverbs 13 continues to encourage walking Wisdom’s Pathway through carefully guarding what we say. What we say is connected with our heart’s desires.