Scripture:
Proverbs 3:5-12 NKJV
[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; [6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. [8] It will be health to your flesh And strength to your bones. [9] Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. [11] My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; [12] For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Observation:
The book of Proverbs is written for the most part by the son of King David. His name was Solomon. He was given the opportunity to ask for absolutely anything HE wanted for GOD, and he asked for wisdom to lead GOD’S chosen people rather than riches of fame… what he wanted was to know how to lead correctly with integrity and honor. When coming to chapter 3 in this book, we see that wisdom does not come from our human understanding but a sincere and wholehearted trust in GOD. Solomon wanted us to know… and makes the statement a few times in this book of wisdom that leaning on GOD and HIS understanding is the way to a life well lived. Acknowledging GOD in ALL your ways and allowing HIM to direct your paths is the key to walking the straight and narrow path. Knowing that as humans, we can never fully know and understand the path GOD has… leads us to rely on HIM. Solomon tells us not to consider ourselves to be wise and, in several places in this book, guides us to seek counsel from wise men that HE has strategically placed in our lives that will help us to turn away from evil. In verse 8, he explains the reward for doing so. By living life well and according to scripture, you tend to live a longer life or should I say health and strength are the result. Now verse 9 is one of the reasons I believe this scripture was chosen this morning. Because I wanted to talk about the first fruits, but I believe GOD is taking this in another direction, and I want to be obedient to the Spirit. Honoring GOD with everything that HE allows you to have and giving HIM the first fruits of your increase comes with a promise to fill your barns to overflowing. However, that’s quickly followed by verses 11 and 12. These verses are the ones that no one really wants to talk about. Correction does not feel good. Solomon wants us to know that although it does not feel good, GOD corrects those HE loves, just like a father corrects the child he loves.
Application:
The longer I live, the more I realize I don’t know much at all. I remember being young and thinking that those who were trying to guide my path in the right direction didn’t know what they were talking about. If they would just let me do it my way, they would see that… well, that’s just not going to happen to ME. Can’t you see I’m different? GOD loves me. HE would not let that happen. We’ll after several of the warnings coming true. I can now see that HE will place my feet on the path HE wants me on, even if it means that HE has to correct me. I remember when my dad was around, and some of the things I got corrected for. Although his methods were not correct. I believe he wanted to lead me to know that by continuing the way I was going, it would lead to the same path he lived. Jails institutions and death. I never fully understood the benefit of correction until now. The Bible says that discipline doesn’t feel good at the time… and I could not think of a truer statement. But the benefits of getting disciplined are far beyond the discomfort caused at the time. I’m just going to be honest leaning on GOD’S understanding has truly changed the course of my life. No, I don’t have it down perfectly. I make mistakes regularly. But giving GOD the first fruits of my day allows me to stay more focused and centered on HIM. Listen, I don’t have it all figured out, and I’m sure I never will until Jesus takes me home. But what I do know is the GOD I serve loves me. Because HE corrects my path when I get off course. HIS desire for me is to head me by still waters, and as I lean into HIS word and allow it to make my decision rather than my flesh, HE shows me that my human understanding is no where near the truth of it all. HE sees so much more than I do, and HE knows that where HE wants me to go is so much better than where I’m trying to get to.
Prayer:
Father, your word tells us that we may plan our path, but you guide our footsteps. We know that there is always a next when it comes to walking with you, and you will not show us the whole path, just the next step or two. We do not want to think we know it all because that’s when pride can sneak in, and the last thing we want to be is prideful. We just want to live according to your word. That is where we fund your understanding. Let us lean into it and write it on our hearts so that you are guiding our footsteps. We do not want to get off course. Show us the way. Our desire is to be used by you in a mighty way. Place our feet firmly. Plant our roots by the living water. So that they run deep in you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.