Proverbially Christian Living

CHRISTIAN LIVING

David the Psalmist and King taught his son Solomon well. He brought his son up in the nurture and ways of the Lord. So well in fact that Solomon asked God for, and gave us words of wisdom regarding living – words that ring as true and valid today as they did nearly 3000 years ago when they were first penned.

Proverbs 3:5-12 gives us our very basic rules for living a Godly life. Rules that are sensible and uplifting rather than dictatorial and heavy. Rules to encourage rather than rules of burden and drudgery. Rules that set us free to celebrate who God is and the role He plays in our lives.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” How often do we try to do the thinking for God rather than leaving Him to sovereignly act. All He wants is our trust and obedience. All He says is “Let go and let Me be your source and your provider. I will sort your life out in ways you would never dream of. All you need to do is trust Me and don’t think about that which I am doing.

“In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” There – isn’t that simple. Submit and be obedient to His will for your life and He will be your comfort and your guide. Everything will be straightforward. He doesn’t say it will be easy, just that we will have the peace of knowing we are in His will for us.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes;” So often we try to out-think God; we try to ‘help’ Him by thinking too much and then acting on our own thoughts. We think it “wise” to do our thing rather than the thing God is telling us to do. This can be the road to disaster as our ways are not His ways, and our thoughts are not His thoughts. Our “wisdom” is as far from God’s wisdom as East is from West.

“Fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” What a promise!! Fear of the Lord and obedience in shunning evil will bring us health and wellness. The Word of God says so – right here – right in front of our eyes today.

“Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Another word here about our tithes and offerings – “Honour the Lord with your wealth and first fruits”. His promise in return for this is to fill our barns and wine vats – to overflowing. “Cup full, pressed down, and running over”.

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Finally, we are admonished to accept the Lord’s discipline with humility because, despite any pain we may feel, it is proof that He loves us. As our Father He rebukes and reproves us exactly the same as our earthly father would. If we do wrong He may punish us to return us to the place of joy – our joy in Him and His joy in us.

What a passage this is – so full of wisdom, sound advice, and authority. The authority of a loving father of his children – not our earthly father but our Heavenly Father – He who sings over us with joy in His heart, and all because we love Him and walk our lives out along His path rather than our own.

Golden Promises we can bank on.