Proverbs 3:1-8 (NKJV) My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
The Book of Proverbs is very applicable for us especially for the city folks today. It was written by King Solomon who is the son of King David. King Solomon is well known for being a man of wisdom. No, it is not the application of acquired knowledge though that is needful but the wisdom that was imparted to him by God. God gave King Solomon the wisdom because He asked for it. We are invited to ask God for wisdom too. In fact, God promised that He will grant us wisdom liberally without reproach, but we need to ask in faith without doubting. Who doesn’t need wisdom, joy, peace, and good sleep especially during such unprecedented times? The Book of Proverbs is the inspired word of God and at the same time it is shared through someone who possessed pragmatic application of His wisdom during his reign as the King of Israel.
We cannot compare ourselves with the Old Testament believers because our lives can only be better than theirs especially our standing before God because of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The lifestyle of faith as a believer of Jesus Christ requires us to have absolute faith and trust in God. This cannot be achieved unless we know God well or else it is a great challenge to trust God with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. Many times, we probably would have leaned on our own understanding, prior experience, and earthly wisdom to deal with the challenges, and the decisions in our lives. While we should not throw away common sense, our acquired knowledge that leads to wisdom but humbly acknowledge that God is wiser and omniscient. He will direct our steps to prosper us and not harm us.
Sermon Series: He Will Make Your Path Straight (1)
不可倚靠自己的聪明
箴言3:1-8 我儿，不要忘记我的法则。（或作指教）你心要谨守我的诫命。 因为他必将长久的日子，生命的年数，与平安，加给你。不可使慈爱诚实离开你。要系在你颈项上，刻在你心版上。这样，你必在神和世人眼前蒙恩宠，有聪明。你要专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明。在你一切所行的事上，都要认定他，他必指引你的路。不要自以为有智慧。要敬畏耶和华，远离恶事。这便医治你的肚脐，滋润你的百骨。
《箴言》非常适合我们，尤其适合今天的都市人。它是大卫王的儿子所罗门王所写的。所罗门王以智慧著称。不，这智慧不是习得知识的应用，虽然这是必要的，这智慧是神分赐给他的。神赐所罗门王智慧，因为他向祂求。我们也被邀请向神求智慧。事实上，神应许祂要慷慨地赐我们智慧，也不斥责人，但我们要凭信心求，一点不疑惑。在这样一个前所未有的时代，谁不需要智慧、喜乐、平安和良好的睡眠呢? 箴言书是神所默示的话语，同时也是在所罗门作以色列王的统治期间分享给众人的很实用的智慧锦集。
我们不能把自己和旧约的信徒相比，因为我们的生活只会比他们更好，特别是因着耶稣基督的救赎工作，我们得以站立在神面前。作为耶稣基督的信徒，信心的生活方式要求我们对神有绝对的信心和仰赖。除非我们非常了解神，否则这是不可能实现的。否则“专心仰赖耶和华，不倚靠我们自己的聪明”就会是一个巨大的挑战。很多时候，我们可能会依靠自己的聪明，先前的经验和世俗的智慧来应对生活中的挑战和决定。虽然我们不应该抛弃常识和我们所获得通向智慧的知识，但要谦卑地承认神无所不知更为明智且无所不知。祂必指引我们的脚步，使我们兴盛，而不是伤害我们。
讲章系列: 祂会指引你的道路