Be obedient

STUDY: #876-CHURCH IN THE HOUSES FROM: NOVEMBER 3 @ 9, 2015

Topic: "Be obedient" Proverbs 3:1-12 This chapter of the Book of Proverbs persuades us or leads us to be good (Proverbs 3:1 "My son, do not forget my teaching."). Let us consider each of the instructions that are being offered to accomplish this. It is that a life of communion with God offers ineffable benefits (which cannot be explained with words). We have to know the precepts (mandates) of God, and make them the norm of our conduct. We have to observe the precepts of the Lord wholeheartedly abiding them (Proverbs 3:1 "But keep my commandments..." Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart ..."). The desire to do everything for the Lord should come from the heart; for all that comes from the heart is done with love, strength, and courage. God wants us to have the courage to want to submit to all of the restrictions and ordinances that He imposes on us with His law. Here we are encouraged when we are assured that this is the right path for lengthy days, and years of life (Proverbs 3:2 "For they will prolong your life many years, and bring you peace and prosperity."). Not even our days of old age will be miserable; they will be days of pleasure. Obeying and complying with the precepts of the Lord will add years of life and peace. Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have those who love your law." (Proverbs 3:3) There are promises for those who always make use of "mercy" and “truth”. It reads: "... Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." God's promises are bound to His precepts. If you keep His law, then you will find favor and a good name before the eyes of God and man (Proverbs 3:4). It is a promise to those who work with kindness and faithfulness. We must continually meet God's providence; depending on Him in faith and prayer for all of our affairs. (Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." We do not rely on our own understanding; this was how we used to do things before we knew the Lord. What God can do will not manifest itself upon our life if we do things the old way; because the power belongs to God. We do not live by our own opinions. Trust Jehovah with all your heart if you really want to conquer. Let’s not use our own opinions, even if it seems that the issue is obvious. (Proverbs 3:6) "In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." We should acknowledge Him in all our ways. We should have fellowship with Him, and acknowledge His power; putting ourselves at His disposition for everything. Look at the reward: He will straighten our paths! It is a promise that is fulfilled in our lives every time we count on Him; our path will be safe, and easy with a happy outcome. The exhortations given here are each proven in good reason. We must live in humility, and respectful submission to God and His government. "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil." (Proverbs 3:7) If you fear God you will turn away from evil, because the latter is a consequence of the first. When one fears, one shuns evil because we are promised that it will benefit us; even our bodies, as in nourishment for the muscles, and bone marrow (Vs. 8). With the strength of the spirit the body will also acquire more firmness to make the right decisions. Prudence, temperance, sobriety, mental calm, and the good governing of passions that we are taught by religion help us not only to strengthen the health of the soul, but also the body.

We need to make good use of our financial resources because it is the right way to increase them. "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops ... then your barns will be filled to overflowing..." (Vs. 9, 10) The riches of this world are secondary, fragile, and ephemeral. However, even in this, God blesses those that honor Him; especially those who do it with good use of their resources. We must conduct ourselves in a righteous way under distress. Let’s not underestimate the Lord’s rebuking. That is, we must not take it lightly as if it had nothing to do with us. We should see its beneficial purpose which God intends (Vs.11, 12). We are not asked to be strong, and control ourselves to the extent that we are hard as stone so that afflictions hurt us less. Nor should we be disgusted by afflictions, because this is the Lord’s discipline; and He knows what we're made of and how much we can handle. No one is speaking of vindictive justice, but of a paternal correction for our greater good. Let’s consider these beneficial tips for our greater good. Amen.