WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.319 If we could turn to the book of Proverbs. 00:00:05.780 --> 00:00:09.060 We'll be looking at that together in just a moment. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:47.980 So Proverbs 3, 1 to 12, and Chris is going to read in just a moment. 00:00:53.320 --> 00:00:57.140 And that's on page 636 of the Red Church Bible. 00:00:57.600 --> 00:00:59.900 Proverbs 3, 1 to 12. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:08.579 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 00:01:08.900 --> 00:01:13.739 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:17.900 Let love and faithfulness never leave you. 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:19.879 Bind them round your neck. 00:01:20.840 --> 00:01:22.519 Write them on the tablet of your heart. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:27.920 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 00:01:27.920 --> 00:01:34.859 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:41.219 In all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight. 00:01:41.219 --> 00:01:45.379 Do not be wise in your own eyes. 00:01:45.799 --> 00:01:47.959 Fear the Lord and shun evil. 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:53.340 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:59.599 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops. 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:07.119 Then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine. 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:13.819 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke. 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:17.319 Because the Lord disciplines those he loves. 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:20.860 As a father, the son he delights in. 00:02:20.860 --> 00:02:30.860 Thanks so much, Chris. 00:02:40.440 --> 00:02:45.380 Well, as we pray for ourselves, we're going to pray for the Sunday school as well. 00:02:45.540 --> 00:02:48.500 So let's pray and ask for God's help. 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:56.879 Our father, what a privilege it is to be able to gather together, whether young or old, 00:02:57.439 --> 00:03:04.819 to hear your word, the word of life being spoken to us. 00:03:06.080 --> 00:03:16.219 And so, father, we ask that your word would bring new and fresh encouragement to our lives today. 00:03:16.219 --> 00:03:18.919 Bless our Sunday school. 00:03:19.039 --> 00:03:20.199 We thank you for them. 00:03:21.020 --> 00:03:22.240 For our teachers. 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:25.680 Father, encourage them today. 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:28.259 And help us now. 00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:31.120 As we hear your word to us. 00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:33.159 In Jesus' name. 00:03:33.979 --> 00:03:34.419 Amen. 00:03:34.419 --> 00:03:43.639 Well, we've been looking at the book of Proverbs, and we know that Proverbs is all about wisdom. 00:03:44.539 --> 00:03:53.459 We've been saying that wisdom is God's word to live God's way in God's world. 00:03:53.659 --> 00:03:56.919 God's word to live God's way in God's world. 00:03:56.919 --> 00:04:01.019 You see, wisdom is not something we turn to in an emergency. 00:04:01.259 --> 00:04:02.919 It's not a 999 call. 00:04:03.619 --> 00:04:03.979 Help. 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:07.000 What decision do I need to make now? 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:07.339 No. 00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:09.739 Wisdom is like oxygen. 00:04:10.859 --> 00:04:13.599 We can't live without it. 00:04:14.619 --> 00:04:18.159 Wisdom is life itself. 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:23.340 So, we're going to look at the first half of chapter 3 this morning. 00:04:24.260 --> 00:04:37.900 And as we do, we're going to see that wisdom offers us a successful life, reveals to us a broken life, and then provides us with a love-filled life. 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:45.360 So, first, we're going to see how wisdom offers us a successful life. 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:52.460 The father-son relationship theme continues in the beginning of Proverbs. 00:04:52.620 --> 00:05:00.040 So, if you look back at chapter 1, verse 8, listen, my son, to your father's instruction. 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:05.819 Then chapter 2, verse 1, my son, if you accept my words. 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:12.360 And then again in chapter 3, verse 1, my son, do not forget my teaching. 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:19.860 This father-son relationship is in many ways like our relationship to God. 00:05:19.960 --> 00:05:24.500 God is our father, and he's teaching us. 00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:30.439 In fact, he's offering us an abundant life. 00:05:31.460 --> 00:05:32.740 Look at verse 1 with me. 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:49.900 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. 00:05:51.340 --> 00:05:52.000 Wow! 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:54.340 Isn't that some offer? 00:05:54.339 --> 00:05:57.419 This is everything we could ever dream of. 00:05:57.899 --> 00:06:01.819 What the father offers us is life in all its fullness. 00:06:02.239 --> 00:06:07.299 Long life with peace and prosperity. 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:10.199 Who would want that? 00:06:11.799 --> 00:06:15.979 Not just long life, but get this. 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:20.059 Health and wealth to go with it. 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:22.259 Look at verse 7. 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:26.459 Do not be wise in your own eyes. 00:06:27.159 --> 00:06:35.639 Fear the Lord, shun evil, and this will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 00:06:36.920 --> 00:06:38.719 Any sore hips today? 00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:45.120 Well, don't be wise in your own eyes, and you will have nourishment in your bones. 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:48.439 Or look at verse 9. 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:50.759 Honour the Lord with your wealth. 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:55.680 With the first fruits of your crops, or the first bit of your income. 00:06:56.100 --> 00:07:03.360 Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. 00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:09.939 Your bank account will be overflowing with the reddies. 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:12.600 Isn't that amazing? 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:18.120 It's a simple path to a very successful life. 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:19.820 Sounds simple, right? 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:24.840 Just obey, and you will enjoy long life. 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:30.120 Just be faithful, and you will have health and wealth. 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:37.040 All I'm missing now is the white suit, and the gold rings, and the bling. 00:07:37.720 --> 00:07:39.660 You'll see me on the God channel. 00:07:40.920 --> 00:07:46.160 But the problem with what we're saying is, this is sounding a little bit like the prosperity gospel. 00:07:46.899 --> 00:07:47.860 You've seen it. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:49.439 You've heard it. 00:07:50.019 --> 00:07:53.259 And it's not just people in white suits and gold bling. 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:56.240 It can happen in all kinds of situations. 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:58.800 The message goes something like this. 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:02.660 Let me show you how you can have a prosperous life. 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:04.819 An abundant life. 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:07.740 Are you tired of poor health? 00:08:08.460 --> 00:08:11.040 Are you fed up with struggling financially? 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:16.560 Well, trust in the Lord with all your heart. 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:19.120 Lean not on your own understanding. 00:08:19.300 --> 00:08:23.980 In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your path straight. 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:30.620 Just obey, and you can have a successful life today. 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:36.060 And by the way, just put in a few extra pounds into the offering. 00:08:38.179 --> 00:08:44.259 Now that sounds great, but it's very wrong, and it's very dangerous. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:52.019 You see, before we start lifting promises out of the Bible, and just applying them directly 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:58.500 straight to ourselves, we must remember that these are promises, as we'll see in a minute, 00:08:58.500 --> 00:09:04.340 that were first written to someone else in another time. 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:10.659 Promises that would ultimately lead to Jesus Christ. 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:20.919 You see, in Christ, God's promises are all fulfilled in him, and they flow to us. 00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:30.379 All the promises of Scripture find their fulfillment in Christ, and from him they flow to us. 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:35.079 You see, God is offering us a successful life. 00:09:35.939 --> 00:09:44.779 In fact, through Christ, he offers us something far better and far greater than what Proverbs 00:09:44.779 --> 00:09:46.659 is even telling us. 00:09:46.659 --> 00:09:55.579 Not just long life, but he offers us a new and eternal life. 00:09:56.500 --> 00:10:03.819 Not good health, but resurrection bodies that will never ever get sick again. 00:10:03.820 --> 00:10:13.600 Not great wealth, but the offer of a new creation, a new heaven and a new earth that will never end, 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:17.760 and we will never be in want, and we will have all that we ever need. 00:10:21.760 --> 00:10:29.240 So first, wisdom offers us a successful and an abundant life. 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:33.379 But how do we get this life? 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:43.840 Well, second, there we go, wisdom reveals a broken life. 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:51.100 You see, the picture we have in verse 1 is of a father instructing a son. 00:10:51.100 --> 00:11:00.700 But we can also read this, and we should read it, as a king who is speaking to his people, to his subjects. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:03.820 So look at chapter 1, verse 1. 00:11:06.040 --> 00:11:07.820 Chapter 1, verse 1. 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:13.399 Look how it introduces us to the whole book. 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:20.519 The Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:29.240 You see, Solomon, as king, is to rule God's people on God's behalf. 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:35.679 Not least when it comes to the covenant relationship between God and his people. 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:43.620 The king has a responsibility to make sure that his subjects follow what God says. 00:11:44.959 --> 00:11:49.139 Deuteronomy reminds us of that covenant relationship. 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:51.719 You can see it there on the screen. 00:11:51.839 --> 00:11:52.899 This is what God says. 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:59.399 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 00:12:00.079 --> 00:12:05.059 These commands I give you today are to be on your hearts. 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:12.419 Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, so that it may go well with you. 00:12:13.439 --> 00:12:18.879 Now the king has the responsibility to make sure the nation obey the covenant. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:24.539 So look back at Proverbs chapter 3, verse 1. 00:12:26.299 --> 00:12:32.000 My son, so it's the king addressing the nation on behalf of God. 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:34.799 My son, do not forget my teaching. 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:39.699 But keep my commands in your heart. 00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:43.439 Chapter 3, verse 3 rather. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:46.179 Let love and faithfulness never leave you. 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:47.399 Bind them round your neck. 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:51.959 Write them on the tablet of your heart. 00:12:52.959 --> 00:12:54.120 Verse 5. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:57.579 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:13:02.259 He's reminding them, underlying time and time again. 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:04.560 This is what we're to do, people. 00:13:05.180 --> 00:13:08.480 Love God with all your heart. 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:10.440 Just obey him. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:12.840 And you will be blessed. 00:13:13.680 --> 00:13:18.280 You will have a long life filled with peace and prosperity. 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:20.039 It will go well with you. 00:13:20.299 --> 00:13:23.459 You will have health and you will have wealth. 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:31.480 But if you don't, then God will deal with you. 00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:33.000 Verse 11. 00:13:34.420 --> 00:13:39.780 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline. 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:43.899 Do not resent his rebuke. 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:58.600 You see, when we follow the story of the Bible, we discover and learn that neither the king, Solomon, nor the nation, loved God with all their heart. 00:13:58.600 --> 00:14:28.580 They failed. 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:31.340 Not obeying what they had promised to do. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:39.860 And Solomon reminds them that God's discipline, although hard, is for their good. 00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:40.680 Verse 12. 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:44.960 Because the Lord disciplines those he loves. 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:49.200 As a father, the son, he delights in. 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.580 God loves his people. 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:53.000 They're like a son to him. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:54.279 He treasures them. 00:14:54.540 --> 00:14:55.560 He's jealous for them. 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:57.960 He delights in his children so much. 00:14:57.960 --> 00:15:07.160 He will do whatever it takes to restore them, to renew them, and bring them back into relationship with him. 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:12.759 You see, what the people need is a new beginning. 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:23.819 What they need is new hearts to replace their broken hearts, which is exactly what God promised to do. 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:27.700 Keep your finger there in Proverbs 3. 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:33.020 And go forward to Jeremiah chapter 24. 00:15:33.660 --> 00:15:36.020 Jeremiah chapter 24. 00:15:36.020 --> 00:15:38.600 It's on page 785. 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:52.600 Jeremiah chapter 24. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:57.840 Jeremiah chapter 24, which is on page 785. 00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:12.639 So God, through the prophet Jeremiah, is speaking to the people where they had failed over many years. 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.639 Jeremiah chapter 24. 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:16.779 And God promises them, verse 7. 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:27.059 I will give them a heart to know me that I am the Lord. 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:37.840 They will be my people and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:42.700 Jeremiah expands on this to show us what this will mean. 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:45.340 Jump forward to chapter 31. 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:50.759 Jeremiah 31, verse 31. 00:16:50.759 --> 00:17:03.659 Verse 31. 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:09.220 The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel. 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.019 Verse 33. 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:15.379 This is the covenant I will make with the people. 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:18.279 After that time, declares the Lord. 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:26.200 I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:31.480 And I will be their God and they will be my people. 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:36.599 Let's go back to Proverbs chapter 3. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:40.420 He promises to give them a new heart. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:45.599 A new heart that will love them and desire to obey his commands. 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:51.619 Now you see, when we think of this, we are actually no different, are we? 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:58.619 Because when talking about the way into God's kingdom, Jesus said this. 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:09.779 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:13.519 Well, how many of us have done that this week? 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:20.940 When it comes to love and faithfulness towards God, we just don't quite make the grade. 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:24.359 I don't treasure God's commands as I should. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:27.700 I don't honour the Lord as I ought. 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:35.059 Left to myself, I will never have the successful, abundant life that he promises. 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:42.200 You see, wisdom is revealing a broken heart. 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:46.119 We too need new hearts. 00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:53.879 A new life that will move us to love God with the very, every fibre of our being. 00:18:53.880 --> 00:19:00.140 So, wisdom offers us a successful life. 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:04.860 But wisdom also reveals a broken life. 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:14.000 Third, wisdom provides us with a love-filled life. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:23.579 You see, at one level, we've been thinking that this is about a father's instruction to his son, offering a successful life. 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:28.319 At another level, we see it's about a king instructing a nation. 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:34.200 Love God with all your heart and you can have this successful life. 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:37.799 But none of us match up to it. 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:46.039 But as the story of the Bible progresses, we see it's all about Christ and his church. 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:57.019 For God sees our brokenness and our failed hearts and in its place fills our hearts with the love of Christ. 00:19:58.639 --> 00:20:05.079 He fills us, firstly, with steadfast love. 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:08.059 Proverbs 3, verse 3. 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:13.039 Let love and faithfulness never leave you. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:17.559 Bind them round your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart. 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:25.299 It's not saying you must love God more and you must be more faithful in your life. 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:32.559 It's telling us God is loving and faithful to people like us. 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:36.339 And don't ever forget it. 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:41.119 Write that on the tablet of your heart. 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:47.960 Remember when God showed up to Moses and revealed his character. 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.139 He said this, 00:20:50.140 --> 00:21:07.240 Well, love and faithfulness is that steadfast, loyal and committed love of God. 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:09.440 It's an unbreakable love. 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:16.200 And that steadfast love is seen and experienced ultimately in Christ. 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:27.039 For in love, God sent his son, the perfect man, who did not forget his father's teaching, 00:21:27.600 --> 00:21:30.700 but kept all his father's commands. 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:34.840 Who trusted his father, who honored his father. 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:41.500 Jesus Christ lived the perfect, faithful and obedient life for us. 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:50.860 But more than that, in love, God the Father disciplined his own son for us in our place. 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:58.819 On the cross as Jesus died, he was rebuked in our place. 00:21:58.819 --> 00:22:09.879 Jesus took the curse for all our failings and he received the discipline, death itself, that we deserve. 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:21.980 You see, Christ comes to us as our representative, the perfect son, the obedient subject to the king. 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:33.700 He stands in for us, taking our broken heart, our broken life, so that we might receive his successful life. 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:43.579 Don't forget his steadfast, loyal love that he has shown you in Christ. 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:52.960 In fact, to ensure that we would never ever forget his steadfast love, the apostle Paul reminds us, 00:22:54.960 --> 00:23:06.539 God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:10.879 Just as it says in Proverbs 3, verse 5, 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:17.019 Write them, love and faithfulness, write them on the tablet of your heart. 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:24.539 Well, God writes his steadfast love on our hearts, never ever to be erased. 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:31.119 The Spirit of God fills our new hearts with the steadfast love of God, 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:36.579 reassuring of us, of his commitment to us, even when we sin and fail, 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:41.879 assuring us of his loyalty, even when we wander away. 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:50.039 God, by his Spirit, has poured his steadfast love into our hearts, 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:53.379 so that we will never ever forget. 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:56.639 God, by his Spirit, has poured his steadfast love into our hearts, 00:23:56.639 --> 00:24:01.220 not only does he fill us with a steadfast love, 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:08.399 he also fills us with a disciplining love. 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:14.039 You see, God's love for us is so great 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:19.000 that he will do anything to keep us close. 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:25.299 Sometimes he will bring us through seasons of discipline, 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:29.519 a time of training and correction. 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.259 Verse 11, 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:38.559 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline. 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:42.660 Do not resent his rebuke. 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:49.320 Yes, sometimes God allows pain and hardship. 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:55.080 Sometimes there are struggles and trials in our life. 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:59.279 But never ever as punishment. 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:02.279 Never as judgment. 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:06.559 Because Christ has dealt with judgment on the cross, 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:08.019 once and for all. 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:11.160 Instead, God, in his infinite wisdom, 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:15.819 allows suffering and struggles of various kinds. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.619 Why? 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:20.339 Because he loves us 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:23.160 and delights in us. 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:27.140 Rather than taking the trials from us, 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.980 God, in his sovereignty, 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.840 works in them 00:25:30.840 --> 00:25:34.300 for good for his children. 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.080 Verse 12, 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:39.380 Because the Lord disciplines, 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.980 he trains, 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:44.180 he corrects those he loves. 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:46.880 As a father, the son, 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.779 he delights in. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:51.899 You see, from our perspective, 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:54.359 all the painful things, 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:57.339 all the hard paths that we have to walk through, 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.440 we see them as bad. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:03.279 But wisdom helps us see 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:05.359 that behind the trial, 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:08.139 behind the path of difficulty, 00:26:08.639 --> 00:26:10.059 is a loving father 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:15.019 who is delighting over his son or daughter. 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:18.279 Think of it like this. 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:23.160 A mother disciplines her young son. 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:26.019 He wants to go out with his friends, 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:28.399 but she stops him from going out 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:30.339 to play down by the river. 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:32.619 From the child's perspective, 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:34.279 being kept inside, 00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:35.519 well, it's suffering, 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.299 it's painful, 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.680 I don't want it. 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:41.240 But from the parent's perspective, 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:44.319 they can see and know things 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:46.299 that the child will never see 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:48.680 or know or understand. 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:51.839 The parent knows 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:53.920 the harms and dangers 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:55.460 of a particular path 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:59.100 and will always know what is right and best. 00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:02.399 And so in life, 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.759 wisdom is telling us 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.819 that sometimes 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:08.219 our heavenly father 00:27:08.219 --> 00:27:12.179 will take good things from us. 00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:14.359 It could be our health. 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.699 It could be our wealth. 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:18.480 Sometimes hard things 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.699 come into our lives. 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.640 it could be kita 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:20.640 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.100 and we'll take kita 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:21.539 and we'll take kita 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.340 and we'll take kita 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:22.720 and kita 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.279 and kita 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.279 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:27.279 not because we have done anything wrong 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:31.619 but to keep us in his love 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:33.700 so that we do not drift 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:35.899 but remain dependent on him. 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:40.259 Think this through with me. 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:43.799 Go to Hebrews chapter 12 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:48.319 which is on page 1211. 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.519 1211. 00:27:53.279 --> 00:28:07.420 Hebrews chapter 12. 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:10.980 Here the author of Hebrews 00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:13.519 expands on these verses 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:16.319 that come from Proverbs 3 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:18.480 verses 11 and 12. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:20.139 We see it there in verse 5. 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:24.280 My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline. 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:25.240 He quotes it. 00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:28.320 Now go down to verse 10, 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.640 the middle of verse 10. 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:37.320 God disciplines us for our good. 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.100 Why? 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:43.399 In order that we may share in his holiness. 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:47.899 No discipline seems pleasant at the time 00:28:47.899 --> 00:28:49.539 but painful. 00:28:50.719 --> 00:28:52.599 Nobody wants to go through the hardships 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:53.579 and the struggles. 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:56.579 But later on however 00:28:56.579 --> 00:29:00.419 these painful times produce 00:29:00.419 --> 00:29:04.079 a harvest of righteousness and peace 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:07.339 for those who have been trained 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.779 by it. 00:29:10.179 --> 00:29:11.359 In other words 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:14.319 through those hard times 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:17.619 God will work in our life 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.519 in such a way 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.980 that we are shaped 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:21.899 and transformed 00:29:21.899 --> 00:29:22.939 to become 00:29:22.939 --> 00:29:24.539 a more beautiful 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.879 loving 00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:27.480 caring person. 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:30.019 In the eyes of God 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:31.480 we will have 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.819 an abundant life 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:34.319 a successful life 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.759 a life filled with 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.700 holiness 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.880 righteousness 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:39.400 and peace 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:41.740 where we are accepted 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.480 and treated 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.860 as God's own 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.420 son. 00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:49.460 Let's go back to Proverbs. 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:58.420 So he provides us 00:29:58.420 --> 00:30:00.380 with a steadfast love 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.799 and a disciplining love 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:04.319 and what is our response 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:07.299 to God's committed love 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.240 towards us? 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:10.019 Well it can only be 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:12.279 a wholehearted love 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.319 on our part. 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:16.380 Wisdom tells us 00:30:16.380 --> 00:30:17.960 chapter 3 verse 5 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:21.220 that we are to trust 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.799 the Lord 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.559 with all 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:24.039 our heart 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:25.840 rather than 00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:27.000 trust in our own 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.400 wisdom 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:28.559 in life 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:30.360 we are to trust 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.120 the wisdom 00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.980 and the ways 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.660 of God 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.920 no matter how difficult 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:35.519 they may be. 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:36.940 Verse 7 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:39.019 Do not be wise 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.940 in your own eyes 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:40.279 but 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:42.380 fear the Lord. 00:30:43.380 --> 00:30:44.299 Rather than 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.720 depend on myself 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:47.279 I now humbly 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:49.220 depend on God 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:50.639 who has in his 00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:51.519 sovereign care 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.859 every detail 00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:53.940 of my life. 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.899 Not only do we 00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:56.720 trust the Lord 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.700 and fear the Lord 00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:58.720 but verse 9 00:30:58.720 --> 00:31:01.399 we honour the Lord 00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:04.819 with all our wealth. 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.579 Rather than 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:08.319 prioritise my life 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:08.980 and think about 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.099 what can I get 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:10.799 for myself 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:12.000 not only am I 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:13.079 giving the bit 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.819 of change 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.660 but I am giving 00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:16.100 my whole life 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:17.820 in honour 00:31:17.820 --> 00:31:19.540 and in service 00:31:19.540 --> 00:31:20.880 to my Lord. 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:22.920 You see 00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:23.740 trust 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:25.240 fear 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.560 and honour 00:31:26.560 --> 00:31:28.700 it's not a performance 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:30.019 to earn his love 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.980 it's my 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:32.200 wholehearted 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:33.140 response 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:34.279 to God 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.680 who loves me. 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:37.380 It's saying 00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:37.779 Lord 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.900 I love you 00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:40.180 with all my heart 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:41.340 and with all my soul 00:31:41.340 --> 00:31:42.519 and with all my strength 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.579 and with all my mind 00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:44.819 and help me 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.660 love you 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.619 more. 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.900 Wisdom is showing us 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:50.460 that because 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.700 God loves us 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:53.579 with a steadfast love 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:55.240 and a disciplining love 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:57.059 I can love him. 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:59.819 I can trust him. 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:02.259 I can fear him 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.339 and honour him. 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:05.379 Because he loves me 00:32:05.379 --> 00:32:06.879 he will keep 00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:07.759 his promises 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.599 to me. 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:10.980 he will give 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.399 to me 00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:12.319 a successful 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.399 abundant 00:32:13.399 --> 00:32:14.519 life. 00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:16.579 Not just 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.399 long life 00:32:17.399 --> 00:32:18.480 but new 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.659 and eternal 00:32:19.659 --> 00:32:20.279 life. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.399 Not just 00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:23.019 good health 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:24.240 but resurrection 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:25.119 bodies 00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:26.079 that will never 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:27.279 ever get sick 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:28.159 again. 00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:30.859 Not great wealth 00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:32.199 but the gift 00:32:32.199 --> 00:32:33.619 of a new creation. 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.399 A new heavens 00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:36.339 and a new earth 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:37.439 where everything 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:38.660 will be put right 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:40.539 and everything 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:42.200 will be well. 00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:45.420 Wisdom 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:47.380 provides us 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:48.360 with a love 00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:49.340 filled 00:32:49.340 --> 00:32:50.140 life 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:51.440 that is found 00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:52.259 in Christ. 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.620 Wisdom 00:32:54.620 --> 00:32:56.360 is life. 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.340 Let's just 00:33:00.340 --> 00:33:01.220 take a moment 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:02.740 to reflect 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.259 on that 00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:03.759 together. 00:33:03.900 --> 00:33:04.500 Let's pray. 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:04.580 Amen. 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:28.380 Lord God, 00:33:28.380 --> 00:33:31.019 thank you 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.980 for your 00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:33.820 steadfast 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:35.819 faithful, 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:37.939 loyal, 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:39.740 and committed 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.319 love 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:41.879 to people 00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:42.679 like us. 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.399 Thank you 00:33:45.399 --> 00:33:45.799 Father 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.639 for your 00:33:46.639 --> 00:33:48.000 perfect 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.879 ways. 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.539 Ways we 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.039 admit 00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:52.799 we do not 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.200 always 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.000 understand. 00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:56.399 Ways that 00:33:56.399 --> 00:33:56.939 we find 00:33:56.939 --> 00:33:57.460 difficult 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.279 and hard. 00:33:58.279 --> 00:34:01.099 but yet 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:01.779 we trust 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.200 your 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:02.779 sovereign 00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.299 care 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:05.220 that you 00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:05.759 are working 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:06.200 good 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:06.779 purposes 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:08.639 for you 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.380 delight in 00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:09.840 us 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:12.059 and long 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:12.480 that we 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:13.159 might know 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:13.920 and experience 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.659 your love 00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.360 in a deeper 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.840 and more 00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.519 real way. 00:34:19.719 --> 00:34:20.320 Father, 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:20.840 help us 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:21.420 to trust 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:21.759 you, 00:34:22.759 --> 00:34:23.639 to fear 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:24.039 you, 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.360 and to 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:25.920 honor you. 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:27.420 in Jesus' 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.159 name we 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:28.519 pray. 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:29.920 Amen. 00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:30.079 Amen.