Trusting God's Wisdom for a Godly Life

Today, I want to talk to you about the good life, which is a godly life. In Proverbs chapter 3, we are given a call to follow after God and to trust in the Lord. This call is not just a general call to follow God, but it comes with specific benefits.

Sometimes, as Christians, we struggle with how to describe the benefits of following God. We might reduce it to simply doing what works best for us or to follow God because he is good to us. However, it is important to understand that following God has both intrinsic and extrinsic benefits.

The Book of Proverbs is an extension of God's law. It tells us how to live a life of worship in all areas, not just on Sunday mornings. It helps us understand that worship is about how we relate to others, how we interact with God in his world, and how we worship God in every aspect of our lives. Laziness, for example, is not just an indifferent choice, but it is a rejection of the purposes for which God has placed us on this Earth.

In Proverbs 3:1-12, we are given specific instructions on how to live a godly life. The passage emphasizes the need to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, to not lean on our own understanding, to acknowledge God in all our ways, to fear the Lord, to turn away from evil, and to honor the Lord with our wealth and first fruits.

Trusting in the Lord means placing our faith in him and following his guidance, even when it doesn't make sense to us. It means seeking his direction in every decision we make and not relying solely on our own wisdom.

Fearing the Lord involves recognizing his authority and seeking to please him above all else. It means turning away from evil and aligning our lives with his commands.

Honoring the Lord with our wealth and first fruits means recognizing that everything we have comes from him and generously giving back to him. This act of giving expresses our love and gratitude for what he has done for us.

Finally, the passage reminds us to not despise the Lord's discipline or get weary of his reproof. The Lord corrects and disciplines those he loves, just as a father corrects his son. We should not resist or resent his correction, but instead, listen and learn from it.

In conclusion, the good life is a godly life. It involves trusting in the Lord, fearing him, honoring him, and listening to him. It is a life centered on God and his word, where every aspect of our lives is lived in worship and obedience to him. Let us strive to live this good life, knowing that it is the path to true fulfillment and blessings.