Building blocks of life

January 4, 2021 (#202)

 

Proverbs is a book filled with wise advice. Sometimes the advice contradicts itself, see Proverbs 26:4 – 5. Many of them are colorful, to help us remember, see Proverbs 26:11. There are times when they set up a promise.

 

Let’s look at a few of them. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” [Proverbs 3:1 – 2 ESV] Solomon is promising that listing to his advice will have benefits for those who take them to heart. The promise is longer life and peace. The idea of peace has also been translated as well-being and satisfaction. In other words, a “full” life.

 

Solomon’s first piece of advice, “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” [Proverbs 3:3 – 4 ESV] Love, in the form of unfailing loyalty and kindness, is our natural state. This will put is in good standing with God and people. Good standing, carefully built, will be it’s own blessing.

 

After steadfast love and faithfulness, Solomon builds the next block. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” [Proverbs 3:5 – 6 ESV] Would anyone like to have life go smoothly? The advice is to trust God and not our own understanding. The human problem of sin always creates a bumpy life.

 

Humility is necessary to trust the Lord. Solomon advises, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” [Proverbs 2:7 – 8 ESV] Turning from evil is its own protection in many ways. God designed our bodies and lives to work correctly under certain circumstances. If we abuse it, don’t expect it to be good to us.

 

With humility comes a recognition of where our blessing comes from in this world. Solomon suggested, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” [Proverbs 3:9 – 10 ESV] God never intended His blessings to be horded. With the “first fruits” (a tithe) we can recognize God as the giver of blessing.

 

What happens when God shapes us or correct us? Solomon advised, “My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” [Proverbs 3:11 – 12 ESV] Discipline involves correction, not necessarily punishment. Sometimes we struggle learning the lessons God is trying to teach us. Reproof does have the flavor of punishment.

 

Did you catch the contrast between the last four verses? Times of blessing and prosperity can be difficult because we can forget God and become arrogant and self-dependent. Times of difficulty and pain can be miserable if we ignore God’s work in these times.

 

Both prosperity and pain can be a temptation forget, ignore, or rebel against God. My suspicion is if we learn the earlier building blocks in verses 2 – 8, we will have fewer problems when life throws a the knuckleball of prosperity of the curve of pain.