“A MESSAGE THAT’S TRIED AND TRUE”

(Proverbs 3:5-12)

Every book has at least one theme that progresses throughout its content. Sometimes a theme is seen by the reader in a singular way. At other times there may be several ways the theme is portrayed. Yet, with several different “word pictures” used, the theme is still singular or one. So it is with the Bible, God’s Holy Word. From cover to cover the Bible gives us a basic theme: “Human life was and is designed so that an individual will have a personal relationship of trust in a living, trustworthy God. This occurs through humble submission to His control.”

The Bible describes this basic theme in a variety of ways. In the Old Testament, it is referred to as “the way of wisdom”. Consequently readers are given the instruction to seek after such a way of living rather than the opposite way; “the way of folly or foolishness”. We also see this way of life described as “keeping the law of God”. In the New Testament, this same theme is sometimes called “the kingdom of heaven” or “the kingdom of God”. The description is of royal subjects who submit to the rule of the Sovereign God in their lives. We also see the same subject described as being “a spiritual man” contrasted to either “a natural man” or “a carnal man”. This theme of human life is talked about as “a growing and maturing process” or “walking by faith” instead of “walking by sight”. Yet, another description is “walking in light” rather than “walking in darkness”.

This morning we are looking at a very famous section of Scripture which is classified as a part of the Old Testament “wisdom literature”. The verses we read to you: Proverbs 3:5-12, address the main theme of the Bible, as we have just pointed out. In these verses we discover FOUR TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE from God’s viewpoint. Let’s dive in and discover what each of these amazing insights say to those who take time to read God’s “owner’s manual on life”.

A.   TRUSTING IN GOD (DEPENDENCE) AND MAKING HIM THE ONE WHO CALLS THE SHOTS IS ESSENTIAL   FOR LIFE TO WORK!  (verses 5-6)

Notice, by observing the parallelism style of Hebrew poetry, that several factors define this first reality. Verse 5 tells us that there is a different way   of living life, other than depending on our own understanding or slant. People are so caught up in believing that how they see things is the only true perspective. They argue with others to support their viewpoint concerning every dimension of life. Even we as Christians can often be unbending concerning how we view things compared to what others AND even God might have in mind. Certainly, God gave us intelligence and wants us to  use it. Yet, our understanding of things must conform to what pleases God. From A to Z, God’s own people dogmatically contend for their way of doing things or living life, often failing to take into account what would serve their God or the greatest number of His folk.

This truth gets amplified in verse 6 by instructing Christians to “in all your ways acknowledge Him”. That means that instead of simply living life   as we desire, (get this) WE MUST TAKE GOD’S VIEW INTO ACCOUNT IN EVERY SINGLE THING WE DO! This is all about    the main theme of the Bible. God wrote the Bible to instruct His people as to how life works compared to how it doesn’t work. To live God’s way is wise!   To live our own way is folly! To go, for even one day, without bringing God into life to participate in the circumstances faced is ludicrous. When we move into such a position LIFE DOES NOT WORK! It is as simple as that! When will we ever learn?

The call in these opening verses is for a total commitment—“with ALL our heart, in ALL our ways”. We are instructed to enter into every day   of our lives in a position of “absolute obedience and surrender in every realm of life”, according to the International Bible Commentary. When we    do it, our journey is “straight”. When we don’t do it, our progress is “all messed up”. Why oh why do we so often determine then to design our    life around our priorities? We fall into that approach to life continually, over and over again. And perhaps that would be seemingly logical if God did not give us the warning that life can’t and won’t work that way! He must be the central factor in everything that happens, and,   in all we do and say.

B.   REVERENCING GOD AND SAYING “NO” TO SIN BRINGS RELIEF FROM THE STRESS AND STRAIN OF LIFE: IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY! (verses 7-8)

There is an amazing correlation between Christians’ level of commitment to God and their emotional, physical, intellectual and relational health. Compliance to God’s way of doing life is therapeutic. Show me a believer who is inundated with worry, anxiety and never feeling well and I will   show you a Christian who is living in their own strength, their own resources and their own control. If life is going to work, a person must put God     in His rightful place! HE IS THE BOSS! He is consulted every single day; often times several times each day for directions in what one must do. AND, God is not to be consulted out of obligation with a disgruntled attitude. To “fear” is the actual Hebrew word used in this directive; meaning respect or reverence. The “fear” is one of honor, esteem, wonder, etc. With the attitude of a small child bragging to his or    her friends, “My Daddy  is the best”, brings to focus what is being taught here. When God is the higher source of knowledge and resource, in    a person’s life, the pressure     of any circumstance is off and life works. Leave proper reverence for God out of the picture and welcome to the world of chaos and confusion. It’s  one way or the other.

Amazingly, we have the choice as to which way we choose to live life. Why, oh why do we leave God out of everyday living and wonder why   we don’t feel good? When we get to glory and God asks why we chose to be so independent (when it clearly made us miserable) we will be   speechless. God’s owner’s manual on life has given us clear direction and warning. God is not the local fire department standing by to bail us out when we find ourselves in a fire that is consuming us. God is a living, loving Being who created life for us to live in conformity with His plan: not ours   ! Where did we ever get the idea that we could do it on our own? There are many reasons for physical, emotional and intellectual sickness in this world, but unless we get our act together and live like God intends His people to live, we will be miserable!   

Notice in this second truth that we are to “shun evil”. Evil at its very core is PRIDE or SELFISHNESS. Satan tempted Adam and Eve with the thought “You can be like God”. (Genesis 1) when we take over control of our own lives, agendas, priorities, goals and plans, we live in open rebellion against God. Folks, our contemporaries need to know, and we need to model for them, IT NEVER WORKS THAT WAY! To live for ourselves, to live by ourselves is Evil! It is open rebellion. It brings sickness, stress, discomfort and pain!

C.   HONORING GOD WITH THE FIRST PORTIONS OF THE RESOURCES GOD HAS GIVEN US BRINGS HIS   BLESSING! (verses 9-10)

One of the most tangible ways people live in their own control has to do with money and possessions. From the Garden of Eden which was made    by God and owned by God:

§  to every single dime we hold

§  houses we dwell in

§  talents we can do

§  interests that hold our attention

§  relationships we hold dear

all of these (and anything else in this earthly life) are a gift from God. How quickly we take God out of the picture and actually have the   viewpoint   that things in this life belong to us. From cover to cover in the Bible, stories and parables are given as to mankind’s propensity to amass riches in this world unto themselves. Yet, verses 9-10 bring us to the awareness that as we give back to God some of what we manage   for Him, we honor God  by recognizing it is His and He has given it to us to use, for Him!

It is also an amazing feature that people are to give back to God FIRST. That requires that they must live by faith or dependence on God to provide for the rest of expenses because people do not give God the leftovers but the “firstfruits”. How crazy that folk literally tell others,   “Well I can’t afford to give God anything, and certainly not first, because I have too little at this time.” If that is the case, then we haven’t   managed what He’s entrusted to us very well, have we? Think of the audacity to even ponder telling God, “All I have is really what belongs to you, but you can’t have   any of it back because I can’t afford it”. Yikes, I wonder what He thinks of that approach to life.

Then there are the talents and interests He has instilled in our lives. Are we using them for Him? Or are they all for our enjoyment, our plans? If  we sing, does He get the firstfruits of that ability? If we write, do we give Him our writing first? If we interact with people do we give Him our relationships first? Do we give to our family members as ones who belong to God? The interrogation of our attitudes and approach to life really  strikes below the surface, doesn’t it? But, we’re not done yet!

D. DESPISING THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE IN OUR LIVES SHOWS OUR DISREGARD OF HIS LOVE!  (verses 11-12)

The Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament recognizes that the people of God do not enjoy uninterrupted blessing. Old Testament wisdom knows suffering happens to believers in this fallen world. From Genesis through the Book of the Revelation, the Bible portrays that some of the suffering in Christians’ lives is directly attributed to God’s disciplinary work. It might be a spanking. It might be grounding. It might be limitations God sets on   our plans. But, God disciplines those He loves!

People do not like discipline. Though necessary in life it is uncomfortable and often it stirs up the wrong kind of attitude. When God’s people    despise His nonconformity to their plans AND even grow to resent His not doing for them what they want, once again they are miserable and    life doesn’t work. The issue once again points the finger at human pride; human control; human selfishness. To be in such a dilemma or attitude is to be completely disenchanted with life. Such a perspective is foolishness. Such a position is one of anger and rebellion.

The real issue is our viewpoint of “fairness”. Every single person has a different thought about what is fair. That is why people so readily go into combat with one another. Even the most depraved individual, has a view of what is “fair” FOR them! And the Impartial, Holy, Righteous God of     the Universe does not consult with mankind about what is fair. He knows absolute truth. He created everything and holds its reality in His hand.   Most people don’t like to even think in such terms. Most folk want things done their way or they determine God is not “fair”. How ludicrous! When will we ever learn? When will we discover how life works? It is not our personal rights that matter. It is God’s Will that   pervades every atom and element of this creation, of His!

So: in conclusion, are we living wisely or foolishly today? Are we here this morning to enhance our trust in the Lord? Have we met for worship    to reverence Him? Are we in this very room today to honor God with what He has given to us for this earthly life? Have we joined together to    welcome His discipline and structure into our lives as we start a new week? May we answer yes to each of these questions! And may God bless    you this week!