In today’s society, scientists have come up with many miracle cures for all sorts of diseases. They found a miracle cure for heart disease, and they reckon that in a few years, no one should ever die of heart failure.
Cloning is becoming very popular, and it seems that the world is looking for immortality. People go on diets and exercise to try to prolong their lives. Why does the world do this? Because nobody wants to die, they want to live forever. Let’s see what Solomon says about how to live a long life.
God has always promised if we live wisely, our lives will be lengthened, Psalm 91:14-16. There are two conditions for true human growth: finding favour with God and man, Luke 2:52 / Ephesians 6:1-3.
Solomon says nine things about how to get a long life.
1. Do not forget God’s teaching.
2. Keep His commands in your heart.
3. Keep love and faithfulness near you all the time.
a. Bind them around your neck.
b. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
5. Lean not on your own understanding.
6. In all your ways acknowledge him.
7. Do not be wise in your own eyes.
8. Fear the Lord and shun evil.
9. Honour the Lord with your wealth.
It’s all about focus and keeping life in its proper context; it’s about recognising there is a God and living our life out of respect for God. It’s about keeping God in His proper place. Why is the world an ugly place sometimes?
1. The world doesn’t want to acknowledge that there is a God.
2. It doesn’t want to obey His commands.
3. It has forgotten how to love.
4. It relies on its own understanding.
5. It trusts no one.
6. The world thinks it is wise.
7. People like to honour themselves with their new cars and houses, etc.
We must allow the Lord to direct our paths, Proverbs 3:5-6, this means trusting him with all our heart, Psalm 37:3-6 / Psalm 37:23-24 / Psalm 37: 34-36. It also means acknowledging Him, James 4:13-16, and leaning on Him for our understanding, Proverbs 28:26. We must put God first in our lives, Matthew 6:31-33, and we must cheerfully give to His causes, 2 Corinthians 9:6-9.
The word ‘direct’ means to make smooth or straight. The Lord can help our journey in life go more smoothly with His blessing. If there is one material thing you could possess in this world, what would it be? A car, house, etc. What is a new car worth? What is a new house worth? They are worth nothing compared to the wisdom of knowing God.
Solomon says that discipline is a gift from God, but sometimes it’s hard to find any wisdom in discipline. Imagine telling kids that there is good to be found when their parents rebuke them! Job 5:17.
Even the righteous may be allowed to suffer, Job 1:8-22. We need to remember that when God rebukes or disciplines us, it’s because He loves us, Hebrews 12:5-11.
In Revelation 3, when Jesus is talking about the church that meets in Laodicea. He says that they are lukewarm, wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. And He tells them in Revelation 3:19, ‘Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.’
He rebukes us because He loves us and it’s for our own good. We can see the wisdom in God rebuking us because we can see past the rebuke and see His love and concern for us. It stops us from getting into even more danger and falling further and further away from Him.
He says when we begin to understand wisdom, we will discover that it is more profitable than silver or gold; it’s more precious than rubies, Proverbs 8:35. Solomon says there is nothing compared to wisdom, nothing.
She has a long life on one hand and riches and honour on the other. If we live our lives wisely, we will live our lives in peace with God. Wisdom is the tree of life; if you hold on to her, Proverbs 11:30 / Proverbs 13:12 / Proverbs 15:4.
When we accept and respect who God is and trust in Him and His ways and obey His commands, then we will be a people who will be blessed. Solomon tells us that if you want a picture of wisdom in action, then just look at creation. Look at the world you are living in.
God used wisdom in His acts of creation. He used wisdom to create the heavens and the earth, Genesis 1:1, and He used wisdom to break up the depths of the sea and create the clouds above, Genesis 1:6-9. Its beauty and harmony were made possible using wisdom, Proverbs 8:22-31
Just think about creation, Genesis 1. Who can understand how the Earth truly works? Everything God created was created in a specific order, Job 36:26-33. Can anyone really understand how God does these things? Psalm 33:6 / John 1:3-4. Our God is awesome.
Do you ever worry about all the evil that is going on in the world? Does the threat of terrorism keep you awake all night? When we walk in the ways of wisdom, James 1:5-8, and keep God and His commands in our sight, that will give us peace, James 3:17-18.
God gives us wisdom and discretion which gives us life, John 10:10 / John 15:11. Wisdom gives us safety and security, and so, our steps will be directed by wisdom and we will be able to avoid many of the pitfalls experienced by others, Proverbs 2:8 / Proverbs 4:12. They also help us sleep at night, free from any concerns, Psalm 3:5 / Psalm 4:8 / Matthew 8:26.
If you had something valuable, would you just leave it lying around the house? No, you would guard it and keep it safe and watch it all the time, that’s what Solomon is saying here.
Keep your eye on wisdom and don’t let it out of your sight, it’s about God protecting us against. And notice, where our confidence is, it’s not in ourselves but in the Lord. And then Solomon tells us things we are not to do.
He tells us five things we need to avoid.
1. There needs to be a willingness to help those who deserve it, Mark 12:43-13:1 / Romans 13:8 / 1 John 3:17 / James 4:17 / Galatians 6:10.
2. If you can help someone today, then do it today, Proverbs 27:1 / James 2:15-17.
3. You can’t walk in God’s peace and then falsely cause trouble for your neighbour, Proverbs 6:16-18.
4. Don’t falsely accuse someone, Proverbs 17:14 / Proverbs 18:6 / Proverbs 25:8-10 / Matthew 18:15-16 / Luke 17:3 / Romans 12:18-21.
5. Don’t go getting jealous of a man who does evil things, Psalm 37:1-2 / Proverbs 1:15-18 / Proverbs 22:22-23.
Why not? Because those people are cursed, but you are blessed. He mocks those people but gives grace to those who are humble, 1 Peter 5:5. The wise inherit honour, but fools lift up shame, 1 Peter 1:3-4.