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Trust in the LORD with all your heart
(Proverbs 3:1-12)
Andy Nagahara
Today we begin chapter 3 of our Proverbs series. Today I will cover up to verse 12.
It contains six things in the context of a father’s instruction to his son. And each one also includes a description of the blessings from God that will come if we follow its instructions. Let’s look at each instruction one by one and see what blessing it brings.
1. Obey the teachings and commandments that are in accordance with God’s will (1,2)
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
The image of the word “father” differs greatly from person to person. In order to correctly interpret the words of this father speaking to his son, we need to move away from our own image of a “father.”
The image we should have here is that “people who live by trusting in God are passing on the truths that God has taught them to the next generation.” Furthermore, I believe that many of you here are now conveyers rather than those being instructed.
Can you share your faith with the same confidence as this father? Many people think that this is the pastor’s role and has nothing to do with them, but that is not correct. Anyone who walks in trust with God has truth to share with their family, children, and friends. And God expects us to share it.
Last week we were taught that we work as the visible body of the Lord Jesus. Introducing someone to Jesus, the one you can trust most, is central to that work. There is no other way to connect someone with God than to introduce them to Jesus.
For by knowing Jesus, people can have the eternal longevity that only God can give and the peace in their hearts that will never be shaken, no matter what happens.
2. Live with mercy and integrity (3,4)
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
In the previous part, I said that we have the truth to convey, but how do we communicate them to others?
The condescending, overbearing approach of the religious leaders of Israel at that time, or of the charismatic religious leaders that are common today, may brainwash people into submitting to them, but it will not help them come to know Jesus.
Jesus did not use any of the approaches of the religious leaders of the day to reunite people with God. Instead, through the simple act of mercy and faithfulness, Jesus has restored a healthy relationship with God for us. And having a healthy relationship with God is a precondition for having healthy relationships with others.
But even so, you are well aware of the fact that it is not as easy as it sounds to “maintain charity and sincerity. So I think the following part will be a good hint for us all.
3. Do not rely on your own wisdom, but rely on the Lord with all your heart (5,6)
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 will make your paths straight.
Our own judgment is subject to change depending on the circumstances. Far from shaking or blurring, it easily changes 180 degrees. I’ve heard that there are as many justices as there are people. Everyone selfishly believes that this is justice and that this is the truth. And they don’t care if their thinking changes to the exact opposite, because they are right.
Such selfish and self-centered acts of oppression by the strong against the weak continue to occur at all levels, from international relations to family relationships. Even religious communities are not free from it. Of course, Christianity is no exception. A Christian is not someone who calls oneself such, but someone who relies on the Lord with all one’s heart and not on one’s own understanding.
We cannot be charitable and sincere on our own. All we can do is recognize our own weakness and foolishness and simply rely on the Lord.
4. Do not be arrogant, fear the Lord, and turn away from evil (7,8)
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Those who think they are wiser than those around them unconsciously assume that the truth is within themselves, not in God. It means that they are righteous and their actions are just, and that they are treating themselves as king or god.
I don’t think any of you secretly thinks you are wiser than anyone else here. Rather, it is a common mistake that pastors and leaders make. If one tries to lead a church with one’s own wisdom, a healthy church will turn into a cult, just as a democratic country will suddenly become a dictatorship. However, even if such a person can get things to go their own way, their relationship with God is broken and unhealthy. And that good fortune won’t last long.
Let us walk with our eyes fixed on Jesus, fearing the Lord without arrogance, and carefully avoiding evil.
5. Live your life with gratitude to God (9, 10)
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Have you heard of the term prosperity theology? The idea is that if you believe in Jesus, you will be rich not only spiritually but also materially. It says that poverty and illness can be overcome with strong faith. In other words, problems occur because we lack faith, because we are weak.
There is no such thing as strong or weak faith, too much or too little. However, there are many passages in the Bible that at first glance might suggest this. One of them is what we heard last week: “Daughter, your faith has saved you.” But Jesus said this as a figure of speech. It was God, of course, who saved her. And with those words Jesus was simply praising the woman for approaching him, thinking that perhaps Jesus could heal her by simply touching his garment.
If we read this passage in the style of prosperity theology, it would mean, “If you want to make a fortune from grain and wine, give generously. ”But we are not making a deal with God.
The true meaning of this proverb is that no matter what situation we are in, we should have faith, expectation, and gratitude that God provides all that we need.
Now let’s read the last part.
6. Jesus said, “I will see you in Galilee.” (Matthew 28:8-10)
11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
This passage is inconvenient for the prosperity theology mentioned earlier. For those who believe in prosperity theology, suffering is something that can be avoided through the power of faith.
However, the Bible tells us in many passages that God uses times of trial to help us grow. It is not only the difficulties we suffer that are the result of our own failings. Rather, we often suffer from things that are beyond our understanding of why we have to suffer. Still, God is not the one who gives us trials that we cannot endure. Even if we don’t realize it when we are in the midst of it, we will later realize that it was not a time of needless suffering, but a time when God allowed us to grow through it.
You don’t have to blame yourself for all the difficulties in life, but by simply changing your mindset a little in accordance with the proverb you read today, the way you see the world can change. Which of the instructions we have learned today have caught your attention? I hope you spend this week reflecting on that.
(Prayer) Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us instruction through the Bible and through other people.
Guide us not only to be true to you, as you have shown us, but also to be gracious and true in our relationships with others.
Please teach me to walk without relying on my own wisdom or knowledge, but by being taught by you.
We will be grateful to you every day, we will not shy away from your training, and we will trust in you with all our hearts.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
Summary
The resurrected Jesus lives among us, even though we cannot see his body or hear his voice. Faith is trustingWhat is important in steering life is not our own common sense or wisdom. What is essential is trust in God. Relying on our own reason and being overconfident in our own wisdom can cause disappointment to others, pain to ourselves, and disappoint God. No matter what our circumstances, if we trust in Jesus and continue to walk according to His mercy and faithfulness, even our difficulties will become a blessing in the form of spiritual growth and we will be transformed into His likeness.
For Discussion
1. Which instruction seems most directed to you? Why is that?
2. What kind of life does Jesus want you to live?