Proverbs 3:7, 8  
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. 
Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 
Then you will have healing for your body 
and strength for your bones. (NLT)

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After reading the Book of Job, quite a number of the sayings in the Book of Proverbs sound like reflections on Job, don’t they? Proverbs 3:5, 6 is certainly an application we can see emerging from the ancient wisdom of the earlier book. The next two verses also sound like applications from Job. 

“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.”

This is great advice for Job’s three friends, for the young, self-appointed wise man who showed up full of overconfidence there at the end of the book. It also fits Job’s own self-evaluation after God asked him a couple of chapters’ worth of questions about creating and operating the world and the universe. 

“Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”

Life is ever so much less complicated and challenging when we avoid every kind of evil. Evil is never helpful and never good. 

The results of living a life that shuns evil and embraces God’s goodness and wisdom include strength that can’t be bought or built. 

“Then you will have healing for your body 
and strength for your bones.”

A firm foundation and a sound disposition for life come from trusting God from the bottom of your heart and seeking his wisdom in all things. 

These are good thoughts to ponder and good habits to build. They are life-giving. 

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I will think God’s thoughts after him. 

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Our Father, teach me your wisdom day by day. Guide my life by your truth. Lead me into the benefits of knowing your will and ways. Amen.