Trust in the Lord ... Acknowledge Him
“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” (Proverbs 3:1-12)
Today we can take the opportunity for the truth of these verses to grasp hold of our lives and begin to make them effective for God. They form the word from a father to his son and were intended to direct him into the very best that life could offer him (vv. 2, 4). Perhaps Solomon did not wish his son to make his mistakes.
Our Father fully intends for us to live satisfied and fulfilled lives. Here He relates for us the simple principles that produce it and asks us to “forget not my law” (v. 1).
Setting aside the material blessings that are mentioned, let us apply the outcomes to our own spiritual life. Do we desire to be knowingly in the will of God and in the good of understanding the path He sets for our feet (v. 6)? Do we want to be spiritually fit and robust (v. 8)?. John says of the young men, “Ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:14). Would we be pleased to see our dry, parched, fruitlessness “harvest” pressed down and overflowing (v. 10)? Would we be in the constant enjoyment of our Father's love and sense the pleasure and joy He receives from us day by day (v. 12)? If so, then here are the requirements.
Firstly, tell the Lord you want to fully trust Him and totally acknowledge Him in every aspect of your life. Tell Him you are casting aside your own understandings and the self-will that insists on having your own way. He must guide from now on (vv. 5-7). DO IT NOW.
Secondly, confess known sin and persistent ways of wickedness you have pursued in your life. Ask Him for help to develop a godly fear of evil out of awe of Him (v. 7). DO IT NOW.
Thirdly, give Him all you are and have. Let it all go. Yield it to Him for His use and service. You are not losing anything; just giving back that which is His already (v. 9). DO IT NOW.
Fourthly, yield to His discipline. Do not kick against the goads’ - He knows what He's doing. The end will be well worth the journey (v. 11). Thank Him now for this crossroads in your life and ask for His grace to keep you on the right road.
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