Series in Proverbs - Don’t Forget the Lord’s Teachings!

 

Don’t Forget the Lord’s Teachings!

Proverbs 3:1-12

As I was growing up, I remember some of the teachings of my parents, from my mother, “It takes more courage to say ‘no’ to those who want you to join in their trouble, that is where you become a man.” My dad was vastly more blunt, “At all costs protect yourself, and don’t start a fight, but if you get into one, always fight to win.”

Solomon was more candid on his advice to his children, for it came from the Lord and his life experiences. So let’s look at the first portion of our text, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life for many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

Solomon’s children were no different than the other parent’s children, like all children, they had memory lapses, especially when something piqued and invigorated their curiosities or their minds were preoccupied with something new or different. But with God, He desires that the focus of their minds and hearts were on the instruction of His precepts, statues, and commands. With that, Solomon exhorted them to make the teachings of God as a special matter of the heart, as well as the mind. These commands weren’t just for memory, but for obedience, for God would prolong their lives as well as bring them peace and prosperity if they took them seriously. Of these commands, the first was “Love”. The Shema,  “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart” (Deut. 6:4-6 ESV) and the second command “...you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Lev. 19:18b ESV)

Since God is love, Solomon wanted his children to emulate and demonstrate God’s love with all men.

The next command of God that Solomon exhorts his children to remember and obey, this means to be faithful to God and all his commands. Faithfulness was extremely important to God and to the parents, for a wayward child would be condemned by the law and put to death.(Deut. 21:18-21) Also faithfulness to the Lord was a testimony of their integrity, fortitude, and honesty, all qualities given by God the Father to those who will listen and obey Him. “I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.” (1 Chr. 29:17-19 NIV) 

Solomon's Father also prayed and taught his son to obey with wholeheartedness. Solomon wanted his children to bind these commands firmly in their hearts and minds, for in their future it would pay great dividends and give them God’s favor as well as in man’s sight.

Application - Oh how I wished to have listened and followed this teaching when I was young, but thank you Lord that I found the right path and a heart and mind to listen and to keep intimate the commands of the Lord. Ps. 119 is loaded with the psalmists' love for God’s precepts, statutes, commands, and laws. He said in Psalms 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.” (NLT) The word hidden in the Hebrew means “I have stored up, treasured”, it is like the parable of the pearl of great price, He had hidden the pearl, purchased the land because of the immensity of the great value. As well in Col. 3:3, we are hidden (concealed, contained securely) in Christ. God has treasured us with His security and salvation.

Oh that we would take God’s Word and treasure it and conceal it in our hearts and minds, securely contained for understanding and insight to the way of God and a life that reveals wisdom, understanding, discernment and the fear of the Lord. 

Second, God’s word and wisdom are the leads to the real jewels in the treasure house of God, love and faithfulness. Solomon likened them to precious jewels that adorn the neck and hang over the heart. Love was and is the greatest command of God and the first fruit of the Holy Spirit. I examine myself to see if I truly love as God does, and most of the time I fall short. I have to remind myself that this is a command from Jesus to every disciple. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV) and Paul's prayer reminds me of the immensity of God’s love. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-20) Truly, without love we are only fooling ourselves in our walk with Christ. (1 Cor. 13)

Faithfulness, truly means that we believe and trust in God and hold unswervingly true to Him. All of those who have served God and followed in His ways, faithfulness was a key component in pleasing Him and living a victorious and uncompromising life. As the writer of Hebrew said, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." "Because of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness" (11:6; Lam.3:22-23 NIV)

Last, we don’t want to seek the favor of men but of God, then with the approval of God in our lives (the fullness of His Spirit), we will win the favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. “For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ.” (Col. 1:19 NLT) This is the way of God, He desires to live in us fully by His Spirit.

Next, Solomon gave his children one of the most trusted promises and directives from God. Let’s read the next portion of the text. “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. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” 

Solomon knew that the only way to remain faithful and stay on the path that God has ordained and purposed was to trust God implicitly, absolutely, and unswervingly. This was a lifelong endeavor, not a sprint but a prevailing and persevering marathon of abiding in God’s commands, precepts, and statutes. First, trusting in God meant to place your all in His hands, for He had given each one their life and He had a plan for their life that was beyond their understanding. They were to lean on the Lord God for all their needs, their reliance and confidence underscored their understanding of His will for them. Second, submission to God was not negotiable. They were His servants and responsible to His authority again implicitly, absolutely, and unswervingly. For God knew their future and all that it would entail to walk in a straight path, not swerving to the left or to the right. “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (Prov. 4:25-27 NIV)

Last, the fear of the Lord was the key to wisdom and knowledge of God, not their own vision and knowledge, for they were finite in all aspects of knowing God. The wisdom of God would help them to shun the evil of this world and to fix their eyes on God, as God revealed Himself to them.

Application - This is one of my favorite verses and one I share with people as I talk to them about believing in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. For it is impossible to walk in the ways of God and His path without trusting in Him with wholeheartedness. The second is to submit to God, this is the first step in an overcoming life. James in the wisdom given Him by God stated in being victorious over Satan and this world that we need submission, humility, and God’s grace, “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (4:6-8 NIV)

Last, Solomon exhorts his children to the physical benefits of fearing God and keeping His commands wholeheartedly. So let’s read the last portion of the text. “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Solomon had need of nothing in his life physically as the king’s kid and as the King chosen by God to reign on His father’s throne. He also knew that it was because of a wholehearted devotion by his dad, that he was raised and trained in the commands, precepts, and statutes of God. He had asked God for wisdom, understanding, and discernment in reigning as a young king, and God blessed him with all the rest because of his wise choice.  “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (1 Kings 3:10-14 NIV)

Now, Solomon wanted his children to follow in the ways of God just as he followed in his father’s way. It was a great honor to bestow the blessings of God upon his children, and good health was such a blessing from God the Father. The psalms and prayers of Moses in Psalms 91 underscore the blessings of God and good health, “When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor. I will satisfy him with long life, and will let him see my salvation.” (91:16) 

Next, honor also came in handling wealth correctly and as a good steward. For with God all things were to be handled in propriety and uprightness. This began with tithing, the giving of the first and the best to the Lord God. Solomon and his children were accustomed to this through the sacrificial requirements each year to God for the sins of the people. Solomon also understood the principle of stewardship, that he was handling the wealth of God’s not just his own; and with that came more wealth, firstfruits, and the overflowing blessings of everything. It was earlier stated by the Psalmist, "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with love and compassion." (Psalm 103:2-3) and later stated by the prophet Malachi the reward for good stewardship, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.” (Mal. 3:10-12 NIV)

Last, Solomon admonishes his children that God's love for them will come with his disciplining. It was because God loved them deeply that he saw the need to discipline them to guide them to do what was right in their lives. For God saw all of his human creation as His children and as a father they needed correction and discipline in order to live rightly and wholeheartedly before Him and men. It brought God joy and pleasure to see His children walking in His way and it delighted His heart to lavish His steadfast love upon His children. “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalms 147:10-11 NIV)

Application - As I am nearing my seventy second year in this world, I seek God more for good health than ever before. And it all begins and ends with wisdom from God. If I seek Him and His righteousness, just as Jesus said, “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” (Matt. 6:33 AMP) that all I have and my health all come down to one factor, putting God first and foremost. It doesn't mean that I will not have trials and problems, sickness or injuries, it means that God’s way is the best and most secure. Second, God must and will be honored above all, absolutely if you seek long life and the benefits of His blessings. 

I look at the times in my life and the hand of God upon me and my family, even in times of uncertainty in the world, he is the Rock, my refuge, and my deliverer. And when giving to God, it is said that “you can't out give God,” nor “can you short change God with second and third fruits ( the leftovers). God isn’t a tyrant, He is a loving Father that desires that His children walk in His ways, listen to wisdom and understanding from His Word, and honor and submit to His plan for their wealth. For God knows everything you need before you even ask Him, and His riches far outweigh the wealth of this world.

I saw a artist’s AI drawing of the Ezekiel temple, it was crazy beautiful and wondrous, then I heard God speak to my heart, “Son, you think this is something, this is squalor compare to what I have prepare for you in my heavenly Kingdom, the New Jerusalem. I was ashamed and humbled by my thoughts, and marveled again at the greatness of God’s provision, for He is our Lord, God, and King.

Last, discipline, that word that makes some cringe and others hang their heads, but God disciplines to make us purer, cleansing us of contaminations, and to correct us and move us in the right path and His ways.

Discipline also means to instruct, to teach, and to obey. This too is God’s way in disciplining His children, so don’t resent Him or shy away from His discipline, but rejoice in it and understand it is because He loves us and we are His children that He disciplines us, for he delights in us just as we delight in our children when they obey and bring honor to God and to us.

Again, as Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “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.” and remember “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalms 147:11 NIV)

As always, I want to end with presenting the gospel in the form of the ABC’s of salvation for all those who have not yet received Jesus Christ for salvation. For Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I have revised my webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. Thank you. http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com