Embracing Wisdom: Trusting God Through Every Season
Summary
In today's gathering, we are reminded of the profound truth that God meets us in every season of our lives, whether in joy or in grief, in clarity or in confusion. As we come together, we are invited to worship and to open our hearts to the wisdom that God offers through His Word. Reflecting on the impact of mentors in our lives, we are encouraged to remember those who have left a lasting imprint on us, much like Mr. Yancey did for me with his quiet wisdom and the powerful lesson from Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
As we delve into the book of Proverbs, we explore the theme of "Wisdom's Way," understanding that God's Word is not a step-by-step manual but a guiding light that leads us closer to His heart. To live wisely, we must first fear the Lord, which means having a reverent awe and respect for Him, recognizing our place as His creation. This fear is not about being afraid but about acknowledging His greatness and our dependence on Him.
Secondly, we are called to seek wisdom actively. Wisdom does not come passively; it requires intentional pursuit, much like searching for hidden treasures. We are encouraged to ask God for wisdom, to seek His guidance in every aspect of our lives, and to listen for His voice.
Finally, trusting God is essential to living wisely. Trusting Him means surrendering our plans and outcomes to His will, living with open hands, and allowing Him to guide us. It is in this surrender that we find true wisdom and direction for our lives.
As we close, we are invited to reflect on our relationship with God, to cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord, to seek His wisdom earnestly, and to trust Him fully. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His love and guidance.
Key Takeaways:
1. Fear of the Lord as the Foundation of Wisdom: To live wisely, we must begin with a reverent awe of God, recognizing His greatness and our dependence on Him. This fear is not about being afraid but about acknowledging His holiness and our place as His creation. It is the starting point for gaining true knowledge and wisdom. [32:51]
2. The Active Pursuit of Wisdom: Wisdom requires intentional seeking, much like searching for hidden treasures. It involves asking God for guidance, listening for His voice, and being open to His direction in our lives. This pursuit is a continuous journey of aligning our hearts with His will. [44:18]
3. Trusting God with Open Hands: Trusting God means surrendering our plans and outcomes to Him, living with open hands, and allowing Him to guide us. It is in this surrender that we find true wisdom and direction for our lives, as we rely on His understanding rather than our own. [50:00]
4. The Transformative Power of God's Word: God's Word is not a step-by-step manual but a guiding light that leads us closer to His heart. As we engage with Scripture, we are transformed and equipped to live wisely, making decisions that reflect His love and wisdom. [26:54]
5. Invitation to a Deeper Relationship with God: We are invited to cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord, seek His wisdom earnestly, and trust Him fully. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His love and guidance, experiencing a life that is flourishing and whole. [55:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [06:17] - Opening Prayer and Worship
- [23:30] - Reflecting on Influential Mentors
- [26:54] - Introduction to Wisdom's Way
- [32:51] - Fear of the Lord as the Foundation
- [38:38] - Reverence and Awe Before God
- [44:18] - The Active Pursuit of Wisdom
- [50:00] - Trusting God with Open Hands
- [55:35] - Invitation to a Deeper Relationship
- [57:41] - Closing Prayer and Worship Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Wisdom's Way
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 119:105 - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
2. Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 119:105 suggest about the role of God's Word in our lives? How did Mr. Yancey illustrate this concept to the group of boys he taught? [23:30]
2. According to Proverbs 1:7, what is the foundation of true knowledge, and how is this concept explained in the sermon? [32:51]
3. How does the sermon describe the process of seeking wisdom, and what analogy is used to illustrate this pursuit? [44:18]
4. In Proverbs 3:5-6, what are we instructed to do with our understanding and plans, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message on trusting God? [50:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "fear of the Lord" differ from being afraid of God, and what does it mean to have a reverent awe of Him? [38:38]
2. Why is the active pursuit of wisdom compared to searching for hidden treasures, and what does this imply about the effort required to gain wisdom? [44:18]
3. What does it mean to trust God with open hands, and how might this look in practical terms in our daily lives? [50:00]
4. How does engaging with God's Word transform us and equip us to live wisely, according to the sermon? [26:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's guidance as a "lamp unto your feet." How did this impact your decision-making process? [23:30]
2. In what areas of your life do you struggle to have a reverent awe of God, and how can you cultivate a healthier fear of the Lord? [38:38]
3. Identify a situation where you need wisdom. What steps can you take this week to actively seek God's guidance in this area? [44:18]
4. Consider a plan or outcome you are holding onto tightly. How can you practice trusting God with open hands in this situation? [50:00]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of seeking wisdom into your daily routine, and what resources or habits might support this pursuit? [44:18]
6. Think of a mentor or person who has left a lasting imprint on your life. How can you honor their influence by living out the wisdom they imparted to you? [23:30]
7. What specific action can you take this week to engage more deeply with God's Word and allow it to transform your heart and mind? [26:54]
Devotional
Day 1: Reverent Awe as the Beginning of Wisdom
To live wisely, one must begin with a reverent awe of God, recognizing His greatness and our dependence on Him. This fear is not about being afraid but about acknowledging His holiness and our place as His creation. It is the starting point for gaining true knowledge and wisdom. When we approach God with this mindset, we open ourselves to His guidance and wisdom, allowing His light to illuminate our path. This foundational understanding shapes our relationship with God and influences how we interact with the world around us. [32:51]
"The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor." (Proverbs 15:33, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God in your daily life, and how might this change your approach to decision-making?
Day 2: The Treasure Hunt for Wisdom
Wisdom requires intentional seeking, much like searching for hidden treasures. It involves asking God for guidance, listening for His voice, and being open to His direction in our lives. This pursuit is a continuous journey of aligning our hearts with His will. As we actively seek wisdom, we are reminded that it is not a passive endeavor but one that requires dedication and perseverance. By prioritizing this pursuit, we align ourselves with God's purposes and open our hearts to His transformative power. [44:18]
"If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to actively seek God's wisdom in a particular area of your life where you feel uncertain or lost?
Day 3: Surrendering Plans to Divine Guidance
Trusting God means surrendering our plans and outcomes to Him, living with open hands, and allowing Him to guide us. It is in this surrender that we find true wisdom and direction for our lives, as we rely on His understanding rather than our own. This act of trust requires us to let go of our need for control and to embrace the unknown with faith. By doing so, we invite God's wisdom to lead us, knowing that His plans are greater than our own. [50:00]
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you are holding tightly to your own plans. How can you begin to surrender this area to God and trust in His guidance?
Day 4: The Guiding Light of Scripture
God's Word is not a step-by-step manual but a guiding light that leads us closer to His heart. As we engage with Scripture, we are transformed and equipped to live wisely, making decisions that reflect His love and wisdom. The Bible provides us with the principles and truths needed to navigate life's challenges, offering clarity and direction. By immersing ourselves in God's Word, we allow it to shape our thoughts, actions, and attitudes, aligning us with His purposes. [26:54]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate regular Bible study into your routine to ensure that God's Word remains a guiding light in your life?
Day 5: Embracing a Flourishing Relationship with God
We are invited to cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord, seek His wisdom earnestly, and trust Him fully. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His love and guidance, experiencing a life that is flourishing and whole. This invitation calls us to deepen our relationship with God, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives. As we embrace this journey, we discover the fullness of life that comes from walking closely with our Creator. [55:35]
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God and experience the fullness of His transformative love?
Quotes
I hope that you sense, I hope that you sense the love of God today and that you know that this is a space that God invites you into to meet you here in the midst of your busy week. In the midst of your trials, in the midst of your joys, and in the midst of your griefs. [00:04:30] (29 seconds)
Father, thank you that you hold us in our lives. thank you lord that through the beautiful days of our lives and through the most difficult days and difficult seasons it is indeed you who holds us thank you for the beautiful picture of psalm 23 of the shepherd who walks alongside us in our dark valleys psalm 23 [00:19:42] (30 seconds)
And so Lord this morning as your people gathered in this place we remind our own hearts and we affirm and we confess what the scriptures say that you lead us that you guide us that you hold us in the very palm of your hand and it is there that we are secure and we are safe with you so father this morning for those who may feel brokenhearted today Jesus would you meet them in this place [00:20:12] (41 seconds)
I was reflecting this week on a person at our church that I was growing up in, who had quite an impact in my life. Kind of left a stamp, if you will. My five -year -old just got a hold of an ink stamp the other day. She's stamping on everything, including me. But she left a mark, if you will. [00:24:35] (28 seconds)
psalm 119 and he read a particular verse that he made us memorize it was verse 105 and it's this word this passage thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path now for you King James version errs out there that's a King James Version quote I don't use King James very often but the scripture says that thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path [00:26:54] (35 seconds)
Mr Yancey instilled that into us young boys that God's word will guide us and that he will inspire us and he will lead us in our lives that God is the one who gives us wisdom and that it is his word that helps us live wisely in our lives and in our days we're moving in a series that we are calling uh wisdom's way [00:28:14] (27 seconds)
To live wisely, we must fear the Lord. The scriptures say in Proverbs chapter 1 verse 7 that wisdom, let me just read it actually, fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge. That the fear of the Lord is this foundation or the beginning. [00:32:44] (26 seconds)
that what is required it is this fear of the lord so what does this mean exactly truthfully this is a tough concept to uh understand and to grasp and i do not pretend to know it all but i'm going to give a stab at it today okay that this fear of the lord is not the idea of being fearful of god of being like afraid and like cowering from him for we learn and we know that god has come near to us in love [00:33:46] (38 seconds)
The fear of the Lord is not just this passing respect of God. But instead is this invitation to see the beauty of God. The greatness of God. To stand and to see him and to have this holy reverence and awe and this healthy fear. And wonder at his power and his might and of his majesty. [00:39:38] (24 seconds)
To live wisely is to seek after the wisdom, the words, and the way, and the will of God, to intentionally search and to seek after what God's opinion is on the things of our lives. And finally, we say to all the people in this world, see. How do we live wise lives? [00:46:05] (22 seconds)
We must fear the Lord, we must seek Him, and we must trust God. We look at these famous words from Proverbs chapter 3, verses 5 and 6, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Seek His will in all that you do and He will show you which path to take. [00:46:27] (29 seconds)
it means we have to surrender our outcomes our predetermined outcomes from the solution that we've put together that we've told the Lord about this I'm gonna solve all this Lord I'm gonna trust you but I'm gonna take it in my hands I'm gonna handle it right you see trusting the Lord is trusting Lord is this open palm kind of life here Lord I'm gonna trust my finances to you I'm gonna trust my family to you [00:47:10] (35 seconds)
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