The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 3:1-6, “My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;

2 For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you.

3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.

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 your paths straight.”

One of the most difficult aspects of reading Scripture, is reading it slowly, allowing the meaning of the words to

satiate your mind, your heart, your soul. Speed-reading Scripture is death to its meaning. One of the difficulties I

have found in reading the Proverbs is (don’s laugh!) knowing where to stop. I’m sure when you see six verses at

the top of these Letters, you sigh and think, “Well, we’re in for another l o n g read. Truly, I am sorry.

Twenty-five times, Solomon says “My son” in the whole of Proverbs. In a sense, he is playing the role of father to

each of us as we read his instructions. Above that, however, it is our Father God, who is instructing us through

Solomon’s proverbs. “Don’t forget my teaching…they will add years to your life,” peaceful life. It is through keeping

my teachings that you will “find favor…in the sight of God and man.”

The last two verses are capstone verses. “Trust () ??????batach, rely upon, have confidence in) the LORD.” If you cannot trust the LORD, you have no hope of having confidence in anyone! –no, not even in yourself when exercising your best judgment. Just know that He wants the best for you in every situation you face. It just could be that He is

testing you to see if you believe that His way is better than yours. Stop trusting Him, and see how it feels when

you fall flat on your face! Solomon puts it more gracefully saying, “He will make your paths straight.”

So, quit running around in circles, trying desperately to figure things out. The LORD alone has the answer! He will share it with you when He’s ready. Oh, I know…I’m an impatient person, too. But is my impatience getting me answers? Not that I can see. Better for both of us to do it His way. Maybe, too, we’ll live a little longer.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”