Wisdom Perfects Our Path (Prov 4) Prov 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The Appian Way (Latin and Italian: Via Appia) was one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic. The Appian Way was used as a main route for military supplies since its construction for that purpose in the mid-4th century BC. Wisdom Perfects Our Path (Prov 4)

Knowing God's Word (v:1-9) It has always been God’s will for us to teach our children (Deut 6:3-9; Eph 6:1-4; 2 Tim 1:3-5; 2:2; 3:14-17). "Get (“Acquire”) wisdom" (v:4:5) suggests, “buy wisdom,” because the Hebrew word carries the idea of a commercial transaction. In Proverbs, Wisdom is personified as a beautiful woman who invites us to her lavish banquet, while Folly is the adulteress or prostitute who tempts us to poverty & death. Embrace Wisdom & you will have security (4:6), honor (v:8), & beauty (v:9). Knowing God's Word (v:1-9)

Trusting God's Providence (v:10-19) When you obtain God's truth into your heart, God renews your mind (Rom 12:1-2) & enables you to think wisely. This helps you make right decisions & experience the guidance of God day by day. If you are willing to do God's will, you will have God's guidance – Jn 7:17 “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.” The danger is that we let the lessons of wisdom slip through our fingers & we lose them. “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.” (v:13) NKJV The providence of God is the care of God for us.  God does not work miracles today as He did in the first century.  God today works through His natural laws to answer our prayers and to give us the things we need.  The following scriptures help to describe the care God has for us.  Following each scripture is a brief phrase describing what the scripture contains. 1)  Romans 8:35-39  Nothing can separate us from the love of God. 2)  Matthew 10:29-30  God is all-knowing. 3)  Psalms 137:7-12  God is everywhere. 4)  2 Peter 3:9  God wants all to be saved. 5)  Hebrews 6:18  It is impossible for God to lie.  What God says can always be counted on. 6)  James 1:5  God will give us wisdom, if we will only ask. 7)  Proverbs 15:8-9  God delights in our prayers. 8)  Hebrews 4:14-16  Through prayer to God we can find help in time of need. 9)  1 Peter 3:12  God’s eyes are over the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers. 10) James 5:16  The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much with God. 11) 1 John 3:22  God answers our prayers if we keep His commandments. 12) Ephesians 3:20  God through His providence is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. 13) Matthew 6:8  God knows what we need before we ask. 14) Matthew 7:11  God knows how to give good things to those who ask Him. 15) Romans 8:34  Jesus is at the right hand of God making intercession for us. 16) 1 Peter 5:6-7  God cares for us.  

Obeying God's Will (v:20-27) Let's ask ourselves: "What comes into my ears?" (v:20) When people speak, we must be able to identify our Shepherd’s voice (Jn 10:3-5, 16) & obey what He says. "What is within my heart?" (v:23) The Bible warns us to avoid a double heart (Ps 12:2), a hard heart (Prov 28:14), a proud heart (21:4), an unbelieving heart (Heb 3:12), a cold heart (Matt 24:12), & an unclean heart (Ps 51:10). "Search me, O God, and know my heart" (139:23). Obeying God's Will (v:20-27)

Obeying God's Will (v:20-27) Let's ask ourselves: "What is upon my lips?" (v:24) Proverbs warns us about a deceitful mouth (Prov 4:24), lying lips (12:22), flattering lips (20:19), deceptive lips (24:28), & undisciplined lips (10:19). "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin" (13:3, NIV). "What is before my eyes?" (v:25) If you are fixing your eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2) as you walk the path of life, then keep that posture of faith. If you look back (Lk 9:62) or around (Matt 14:30), you will go on a detour. Obeying God's Will (v:20-27)

Obeying God's Will (v:20-27) Let's ask ourselves: "Where are my feet?" (v:26-27) The Lord is weighing our ways (Prov 5:21) & our hearts (21:2), as well as our actions (1 Sam 2:3), & we had better do the same. If we are walking in the way of wisdom, God promises to protect our path, direct our path, & perfect our path. Obeying God's Will (v:20-27)