WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:04.700 In Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 1 to 12. 00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:22.660 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments. 00:00:23.580 --> 00:00:27.980 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.539 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:35.439 Bind them around your neck. 00:00:36.020 --> 00:00:37.640 Write them on the tablet of your heart, 00:00:37.740 --> 00:00:42.060 so you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 00:00:43.799 --> 00:00:47.060 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:50.920 and do not lean on your own understanding. 00:00:51.960 --> 00:00:54.760 In all your ways acknowledge Him, 00:00:55.519 --> 00:00:57.900 and He will make straight your paths. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.619 Be not wise in your own eyes. 00:01:03.539 --> 00:01:05.739 Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 00:01:06.500 --> 00:01:10.299 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:13.340 Honor the Lord with your wealth, 00:01:13.739 --> 00:01:16.159 and with the firstfruits of all your produce. 00:01:16.740 --> 00:01:18.680 Then your barns will be filled with plenty, 00:01:18.939 --> 00:01:21.060 and your vats will be bursting with wine. 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:25.980 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, 00:01:26.299 --> 00:01:28.120 or be weary of His reproof. 00:01:28.760 --> 00:01:31.560 For the Lord reproves Him whom He loves, 00:01:31.820 --> 00:01:34.620 as a father, the son in whom He delights. 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:37.879 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:01:38.980 --> 00:01:44.280 Most of you, like I do, probably know a health guru or two. 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:48.760 The person who keeps up with all the health fads, 00:01:49.579 --> 00:01:51.859 experimented with the alkaline diet, 00:01:52.260 --> 00:01:54.420 the gluten-free diet, the vegan diet, 00:01:55.079 --> 00:01:56.840 paleo diet, the Whole30 diet, 00:01:57.640 --> 00:01:59.680 the Mediterranean diet, Atkins diet, 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:02.200 keto diet, I don't even know what half of these are. 00:02:02.900 --> 00:02:05.439 The person who keeps up with all the exercise fads, 00:02:05.439 --> 00:02:10.359 I think this is probably before most of us, 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:11.840 but Taibo, right? 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:15.439 P90X, Insanity, Barefoot Running. 00:02:16.060 --> 00:02:17.039 Remember those Vibrams? 00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:21.340 Zumba, Yoga, Spinning, or CrossFit. 00:02:22.579 --> 00:02:25.520 Most of you also probably know a productivity guru or two. 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:28.599 The person that reads all the self-help books 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:31.240 and eagerly applies all the productivity tips 00:02:31.240 --> 00:02:34.020 to ensure success and happiness in their life. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:37.979 Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking. 00:02:39.400 --> 00:02:41.259 David Allen's Getting Things Done. 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:43.960 Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:48.060 Or Marie Kondo's Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. 00:02:50.180 --> 00:02:52.020 Certainly not underselling it, right? 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:53.960 Life-changing magic. 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:57.060 I mention all these to show you 00:02:57.060 --> 00:02:59.520 that people are generally very interested 00:02:59.520 --> 00:03:00.699 in health and well-being, 00:03:01.539 --> 00:03:02.919 in happiness and success. 00:03:02.919 --> 00:03:05.559 Now what if I told you 00:03:05.559 --> 00:03:07.639 that I have discovered something 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:11.279 that will increase your length of days and years of life 00:03:11.279 --> 00:03:14.099 and fill your life with peace? 00:03:16.379 --> 00:03:19.039 Something that will give you favor and good success 00:03:19.039 --> 00:03:20.500 with both God and man. 00:03:20.500 --> 00:03:24.800 And if you believed me 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:26.099 when I told you that, 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:27.939 you would do everything in your power 00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:29.879 to acquire that very thing. 00:03:31.719 --> 00:03:33.520 And that's precisely what 00:03:33.520 --> 00:03:35.580 this passage of Scripture offers, 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:36.539 although 00:03:36.539 --> 00:03:40.099 I will qualify and explain that as we go. 00:03:40.979 --> 00:03:42.120 It teaches us that 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:43.759 we should trust the Lord fully 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:45.879 and distrust ourselves. 00:03:47.399 --> 00:03:48.879 That's the main point of this passage. 00:03:49.079 --> 00:03:50.620 We should trust the Lord 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:52.679 and distrust ourselves. 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:54.319 First, in the first half, 00:03:54.399 --> 00:03:56.139 there's an exhortation to trust in the Lord. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:57.439 In the second half, 00:03:57.859 --> 00:03:59.280 it gives us specific examples 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:00.680 of trust in the Lord, 00:04:00.739 --> 00:04:01.579 what that looks like. 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:04.359 It begins in verses 1 and 2 this way. 00:04:04.360 --> 00:04:18.480 These first two verses 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:19.460 set the pattern 00:04:19.460 --> 00:04:22.379 that the rest of this passage will follow. 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:23.879 The odd number of verses 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:25.379 contain the commands 00:04:25.379 --> 00:04:26.620 that we have to follow, 00:04:26.740 --> 00:04:27.500 the commands of God. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:28.800 The even number of verses 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:30.220 contain the consequences, 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:32.180 the rewards that will follow 00:04:32.180 --> 00:04:33.180 if we obey God's commands. 00:04:33.180 --> 00:04:35.500 And as I said two weeks ago, 00:04:35.720 --> 00:04:37.560 the son that is in view here, 00:04:37.620 --> 00:04:38.439 that's being addressed here, 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:39.900 is not a specific individual, 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:41.280 but a generic category 00:04:41.280 --> 00:04:43.300 that includes all of God's people. 00:04:43.780 --> 00:04:45.920 In fact, in Exodus 4, verse 22, 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:47.439 God explicitly calls 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:48.699 the nation of Israel, 00:04:49.019 --> 00:04:50.160 his chosen people, 00:04:50.540 --> 00:04:51.960 my firstborn son. 00:04:53.160 --> 00:04:54.699 So God reveals himself 00:04:54.699 --> 00:04:56.040 to his people as father 00:04:56.040 --> 00:04:58.899 and calls his people his children. 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:00.439 And so this is, 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:01.840 and this is partly why 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:03.839 God takes paternal relationships 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:04.599 so seriously 00:05:04.599 --> 00:05:06.739 because our earthly fathers 00:05:06.739 --> 00:05:08.399 are meant to be representatives 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:09.959 of our heavenly father 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:11.959 to their children. 00:05:13.299 --> 00:05:14.560 And so scripture repeatedly 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:16.519 places a premium 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:18.939 on the responsibility 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:20.379 of parents 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:21.479 to rear their children 00:05:21.479 --> 00:05:22.199 in the instruction 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:23.099 and discipline of the Lord. 00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:25.379 And that's why Proverbs 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:27.620 assumes this parental voice 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:28.519 and perspective 00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:29.739 when it says, 00:05:29.819 --> 00:05:30.120 for example, 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:31.319 in chapter 1, verse 8, 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:32.199 hear my son, 00:05:32.280 --> 00:05:33.399 your father's instruction 00:05:33.399 --> 00:05:34.519 and forsake not 00:05:34.519 --> 00:05:35.480 your mother's teaching. 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:37.500 And if we do not forget 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:38.240 our father's teaching 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:39.000 but let our heart 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:40.280 keep his commandments, 00:05:40.980 --> 00:05:41.720 that's the command, 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:42.720 then our keeping 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:43.340 of these commandments 00:05:43.340 --> 00:05:44.120 will lead to this. 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:45.199 It will add to us 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:46.439 length of days 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:47.680 and years of life 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:48.180 and peace. 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:49.060 That's the consequence. 00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:50.680 That's very similar 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:51.360 to the fifth 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:52.319 of the Ten Commandments 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:53.500 which Paul quotes 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:54.740 in Ephesians chapter 6, 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:55.720 verses 1 to 4. 00:05:56.120 --> 00:05:56.560 Children, 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:57.579 obey your parents 00:05:57.579 --> 00:05:58.000 and the Lord 00:05:58.000 --> 00:05:58.819 for this is right. 00:05:59.459 --> 00:06:00.219 Honor your father 00:06:00.219 --> 00:06:00.620 and mother. 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:02.479 This is the first commandment 00:06:02.479 --> 00:06:03.319 with a promise 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:04.800 that it may go well 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:05.279 with you 00:06:05.279 --> 00:06:06.219 and that you may live 00:06:06.219 --> 00:06:07.339 long in the land. 00:06:08.099 --> 00:06:08.419 Fathers, 00:06:08.539 --> 00:06:09.199 do not provoke 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:10.219 your children to anger 00:06:10.219 --> 00:06:11.259 but bring them up 00:06:11.259 --> 00:06:12.000 in the discipline 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:12.779 and instruction 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:13.479 of the Lord. 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:15.879 Because God intended 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:16.879 our parents 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:17.799 to function 00:06:17.799 --> 00:06:18.919 as his representatives 00:06:18.919 --> 00:06:20.039 and messengers, 00:06:20.659 --> 00:06:22.219 he expected us 00:06:22.219 --> 00:06:24.180 to honor our parents 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:24.819 and to heed 00:06:24.819 --> 00:06:25.639 their teaching, 00:06:26.039 --> 00:06:26.699 their words. 00:06:26.699 --> 00:06:28.079 And when our parents 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:28.680 bring us up 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:29.259 in the instruction 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:29.639 and discipline 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:30.120 of the Lord 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:31.339 and we honor them 00:06:31.339 --> 00:06:32.180 and heed their words, 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:33.159 then it would go well 00:06:33.159 --> 00:06:33.699 with us 00:06:33.699 --> 00:06:34.659 because we'll be following 00:06:34.659 --> 00:06:35.399 God's words 00:06:35.399 --> 00:06:36.620 and we would live 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:37.459 long in the land. 00:06:38.599 --> 00:06:39.360 Verses 3 to 4 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:40.599 continue this exhortation. 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:42.259 Let not steadfast love 00:06:42.259 --> 00:06:42.980 and faithfulness 00:06:42.980 --> 00:06:43.899 forsake you. 00:06:44.599 --> 00:06:46.060 Bind them around your neck. 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:47.879 Write them on the tablet 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:48.519 of your heart 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:50.319 so you will find favor 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:51.560 and good success 00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:52.759 in the sight of God 00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:53.219 and man. 00:06:54.259 --> 00:06:55.159 Steadfast love 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:56.480 and faithfulness 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:57.560 in verse 3. 00:06:58.040 --> 00:06:59.120 It's parallel to 00:06:59.120 --> 00:06:59.939 the Father's teaching 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:00.360 and commandments 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:01.140 in verse 1. 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:02.820 So these two attributes, 00:07:03.020 --> 00:07:03.740 steadfast love 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:04.439 and faithfulness, 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:05.820 sum up the Father's 00:07:05.820 --> 00:07:06.540 ethical teaching. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:08.240 This is what your life 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:08.760 should look like. 00:07:08.820 --> 00:07:09.840 This is how you should live. 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:11.580 And it's not a coincidence 00:07:11.580 --> 00:07:12.560 that steadfast love 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:13.220 and faithfulness 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:14.260 are frequently paired 00:07:14.260 --> 00:07:15.100 throughout Scripture 00:07:15.100 --> 00:07:16.400 to sum up 00:07:16.400 --> 00:07:17.760 the attributes of God. 00:07:18.540 --> 00:07:20.320 When God reveals himself 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:20.920 to Moses 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:22.599 in Exodus chapter 34, 00:07:23.159 --> 00:07:24.219 he describes himself 00:07:24.219 --> 00:07:25.139 as abounding 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:26.839 in steadfast love 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:28.680 and faithfulness. 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:32.420 His steadfast love 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:34.060 means he is not fickle. 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:35.980 His love for us 00:07:35.980 --> 00:07:37.019 doesn't fluctuate. 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:39.899 He loves us 00:07:39.899 --> 00:07:41.000 with an unchanging, 00:07:41.719 --> 00:07:42.659 covenantal love. 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:45.639 He's loyal to us. 00:07:46.219 --> 00:07:47.360 God's also faithful. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:49.360 The word behind faithfulness, 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:49.860 the Hebrew word 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:50.720 behind faithfulness 00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:52.259 is sometimes translated 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:53.199 as truth. 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:54.879 It's a reference 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:56.439 to God's faithfulness 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:57.500 to his character. 00:07:58.400 --> 00:07:59.819 He's true to himself. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:01.879 He does not deviate 00:08:01.879 --> 00:08:02.900 from who he is. 00:08:03.520 --> 00:08:04.740 He's not contingent 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:06.460 on changing circumstances 00:08:06.460 --> 00:08:07.819 or moods. 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:09.340 He's the same yesterday, 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:10.600 today, and forever. 00:08:10.860 --> 00:08:12.120 He's always faithful 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:12.939 and true. 00:08:13.020 --> 00:08:14.199 That's what faithfulness means. 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:16.460 As 2 Timothy 2.13 says, 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:18.339 If we are faithless, 00:08:18.620 --> 00:08:20.039 he remains faithful 00:08:20.039 --> 00:08:22.759 for he cannot deny himself. 00:08:23.739 --> 00:08:24.719 That's who he is. 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:26.959 It was God's steadfast love 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:27.779 and faithfulness 00:08:27.779 --> 00:08:29.339 that assured God's people 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:30.839 of his enduring 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:31.560 commitment to them. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:32.939 And so then, 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:35.720 when Proverbs 3.3 tells us, 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.399 Let not steadfast love 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:38.939 and faithfulness forsake you, 00:08:39.439 --> 00:08:40.360 it's telling us 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:41.299 that as objects 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:42.360 of God's steadfast love 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:43.039 and faithfulness, 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:44.240 we should be characterized 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:45.620 by steadfast love 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:46.819 and faithfulness. 00:08:47.199 --> 00:08:48.279 We should reciprocate 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:50.179 what God has done for us, 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:51.279 given to us. 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:52.719 It's referring to 00:08:52.719 --> 00:08:53.899 keeping our end 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:55.399 of our covenant relationship 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:56.059 with God, 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.039 our obligations, 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:58.059 our responsibilities. 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:01.879 Psalm 26 describes it this way, 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:20.220 To live with steadfast love 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:20.960 and faithfulness, 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:21.939 then it's to live 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:23.439 trusting the Lord 00:09:23.439 --> 00:09:24.460 without wavering. 00:09:24.939 --> 00:09:25.860 It's a life of faith. 00:09:25.940 --> 00:09:26.679 That's what it means 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:28.299 to put on steadfast love 00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:29.019 and faithfulness. 00:09:29.019 --> 00:09:30.460 Like a wedding ring 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:31.840 that you never take off, 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:33.019 as God's people, 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:33.819 we are to keep 00:09:33.819 --> 00:09:34.620 steadfast love 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:35.360 and faithfulness 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:36.860 near our hearts always. 00:09:37.539 --> 00:09:38.600 Wear it always. 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:39.939 Engrave it 00:09:39.939 --> 00:09:41.379 on the tablet of our hearts. 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.179 And so then, 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:43.899 steadfast love 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:44.620 and faithfulness, 00:09:44.779 --> 00:09:46.439 they're not some generic, 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:47.899 a-religious, 00:09:48.439 --> 00:09:49.460 moral qualities 00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:51.399 that anyone can follow. 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:53.759 These are profoundly 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:55.759 religious attributes. 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:58.600 One cannot live 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:00.000 with steadfast love 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:00.939 and faithfulness 00:10:00.939 --> 00:10:02.559 without faith in God. 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:05.259 This is confirmed 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:06.659 by verses 5 to 6. 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:07.720 It says, 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.159 Trust in the Lord 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:11.159 with all your heart 00:10:11.159 --> 00:10:13.319 and do not lean 00:10:13.319 --> 00:10:14.500 on your own understanding. 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:17.080 In all your ways, 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:18.080 acknowledge Him 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:20.039 and He will make straight 00:10:20.039 --> 00:10:21.059 your paths. 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:22.279 Notice the repetition 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:23.319 of the word all. 00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:25.100 The command to trust 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:25.400 in the Lord 00:10:25.400 --> 00:10:26.540 with all your heart 00:10:26.540 --> 00:10:29.400 requires exclusivity. 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:31.700 We are not to be divided 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:32.780 in our allegiance to Him. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:34.260 We are not to serve 00:10:34.260 --> 00:10:34.780 other lords 00:10:34.780 --> 00:10:35.700 or to be devoted 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:36.720 to other masters. 00:10:37.080 --> 00:10:37.300 Rather, 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:38.680 we are to trust in God 00:10:38.680 --> 00:10:39.820 with all of our heart. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:40.920 And likewise, 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:42.400 we are to acknowledge God 00:10:42.400 --> 00:10:43.900 in all our ways. 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:46.240 That implies 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:48.240 not just that 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:48.860 our commitment to God 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:49.480 is exclusive, 00:10:49.800 --> 00:10:50.580 but that it's also 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:51.740 exhaustive. 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:54.000 It's comprehensive. 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:55.320 There's nothing 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:56.539 that it doesn't touch. 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:58.399 Everything in life 00:10:58.399 --> 00:10:59.460 is supposed to be filtered 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:00.560 through our devotion 00:11:00.560 --> 00:11:00.980 to God, 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:01.940 our allegiance to Him. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:03.980 So do you trust 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:04.480 in the Lord 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:05.759 with all your heart 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:07.320 or do you trust Him 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:08.279 with half your heart? 00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:11.440 Or do you not 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:12.180 trust Him at all? 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:14.580 Is there something 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:15.720 or someone else 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:16.580 that you trust? 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:18.200 Do you lean 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:19.379 on your own understanding? 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:21.980 There's so many 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:23.419 self-help tips out there 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:24.480 along the lines of 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:25.939 trust yourself, 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:28.299 believe in yourself, 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.580 bet on yourself. 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:34.820 But this is prideful 00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:36.820 and self-serving advice 00:11:36.820 --> 00:11:38.100 that's unbecoming 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.659 of the Christian. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:42.679 We are commanded here 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:43.779 to trust in the Lord 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:45.940 and distrust ourselves. 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:49.220 There are too many 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:49.880 people in the world 00:11:49.880 --> 00:11:50.920 that think they know 00:11:50.920 --> 00:11:52.420 exactly what they are doing 00:11:52.420 --> 00:11:53.620 and what everyone else 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.180 should be doing. 00:11:57.560 --> 00:11:59.080 Leaning on our own 00:11:59.080 --> 00:11:59.600 understanding 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:00.320 is like leaning 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:01.420 on a broken crutch. 00:12:02.420 --> 00:12:03.360 We should instead 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:04.360 trust in the Lord 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.780 with all of our heart. 00:12:06.760 --> 00:12:07.700 So let me ask you, 00:12:07.760 --> 00:12:09.220 what drives your decisions 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:09.960 and actions? 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:14.060 Is it the Word of God 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:15.459 or is it your own will? 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:17.619 Are you shaped 00:12:17.619 --> 00:12:18.459 by the teachings 00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:19.319 of God's Word 00:12:19.319 --> 00:12:20.359 or are you shaped 00:12:20.359 --> 00:12:21.839 more by your own desires, 00:12:22.099 --> 00:12:22.879 your impulses, 00:12:23.239 --> 00:12:24.119 your experiences, 00:12:24.339 --> 00:12:24.979 your past, 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:26.019 and your feelings? 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.659 What is the key 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.799 or the legend 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:32.439 that you use 00:12:32.439 --> 00:12:32.819 in your life 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:33.339 to determine 00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:34.559 what is true or false, 00:12:34.719 --> 00:12:36.659 what is right or wrong, 00:12:36.859 --> 00:12:38.219 what is good or bad, 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:40.179 what is beautiful or ugly? 00:12:40.179 --> 00:12:41.299 What is the key 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:42.399 that you use 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:43.559 to determine those things? 00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:45.799 We can't assume 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:46.779 that human reason 00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:48.059 or intuition 00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:48.959 or conscience 00:12:48.959 --> 00:12:50.639 can bring people together 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:51.559 and be consistent 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:52.259 and reliable. 00:12:52.719 --> 00:12:53.399 They are not. 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:56.099 All of those things 00:12:56.099 --> 00:12:57.299 are shaped by our personal 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:58.479 and cultural context. 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:00.479 People's reasoning 00:13:00.479 --> 00:13:02.679 is often very 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:05.039 and demonstrably unreasonable. 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:09.859 People's intuitions 00:13:09.859 --> 00:13:10.899 and consciences 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:12.599 frequently misfire. 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:18.679 That means our reasoning 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:19.519 needs to be sanctified 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.379 by God's Word 00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:21.619 and our intuitions 00:13:21.619 --> 00:13:22.739 and consciences too 00:13:22.739 --> 00:13:24.159 must be calibrated 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.659 according to 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:26.479 the Word of God. 00:13:27.239 --> 00:13:28.399 As Paul writes 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.659 in 2 Corinthians 10, 5, 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:30.899 we destroy arguments 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:32.259 and every lofty opinion 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.100 raised against 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.439 the knowledge of God 00:13:34.439 --> 00:13:36.059 and take every thought 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:36.679 captive 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:38.699 to obey Christ. 00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:41.000 So do you filter 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:42.000 every thought, 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:42.899 every idea 00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:44.779 through the Word of God? 00:13:46.199 --> 00:13:47.259 Do you dare 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.500 to risk yourself, 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:49.179 your life, 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:50.059 to believe 00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:50.779 and obey 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:51.559 everything 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:53.079 that God's Word 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:53.539 teaches 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:54.539 in every area 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.000 of your life? 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:58.639 I'd love 00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.299 for our church 00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:00.000 to get in the habit 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:00.899 of asking ourselves, 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.320 is this thought 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:03.299 or is this idea 00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:04.440 corroborated 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:05.460 or contradicted 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:06.399 by a passage 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:06.879 in Scripture? 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.240 And God's Word 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:13.220 is bound 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:14.740 to challenge us 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:15.840 from time to time, 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:17.039 perhaps 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:18.840 more frequently 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.519 for some of us 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:20.000 than others. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:21.399 Why? 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.480 Because God is God 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.279 and we are not. 00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:26.240 If God 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:26.960 always agrees 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:27.460 with us, 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.420 as one preacher 00:14:28.420 --> 00:14:28.800 said, 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:30.039 we probably 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:30.840 created God 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.600 in our own image. 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:34.300 He's just 00:14:34.300 --> 00:14:35.240 an idealization 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.279 of our own desires, 00:14:36.800 --> 00:14:38.840 not God. 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:42.399 And we should 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:42.980 get in the habit 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.480 of testing 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.019 our decisions 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.519 and actions 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.360 by the Word of God 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:45.759 as well. 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:47.420 We should cultivate 00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:48.420 a functional 00:14:48.420 --> 00:14:50.019 dependence on God 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:51.519 in our day-to-day life. 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.720 And we can't 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.439 assume that just 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:54.139 because we've been 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:54.600 a Christian 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.360 for some time 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:55.860 that this is 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.360 something we're 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.079 already doing. 00:14:58.079 --> 00:14:58.679 There are people 00:14:58.679 --> 00:14:59.139 who have been 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.460 Christians for decades 00:15:00.460 --> 00:15:01.699 who trust in the Lord 00:15:01.699 --> 00:15:02.379 theoretically 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.519 but do not 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:04.240 trust Him 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:05.039 functionally. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.259 They rely 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.000 on their own 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.460 understanding 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:07.819 in the way 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.679 they actually live. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:11.039 To illustrate, 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:11.960 many of us, 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.480 many of you 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.319 are diligent 00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:15.179 in your life 00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:16.679 and perhaps 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:17.620 not consciously 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:19.699 but subconsciously 00:15:19.699 --> 00:15:20.299 you live 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:20.939 with the mantra, 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:21.859 God helps 00:15:21.859 --> 00:15:22.439 those who 00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:23.259 help themselves. 00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:29.120 But that's 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:31.379 the indifferent 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:34.099 and really 00:15:34.099 --> 00:15:35.079 distant God 00:15:35.079 --> 00:15:35.620 of deism 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.939 that's not 00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:37.620 speaking of 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.179 the loving 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:39.059 and personally 00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:39.859 present God 00:15:39.859 --> 00:15:40.439 of Christianity. 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:42.859 By this, 00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:43.379 I don't mean 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:43.779 that God 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.799 doesn't use means. 00:15:45.479 --> 00:15:46.120 I don't mean 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:46.579 that we should 00:15:46.579 --> 00:15:47.659 passively resign 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.120 ourselves 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.799 to whatever 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:49.279 happens. 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:50.039 The book 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:50.639 of Proverbs 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.919 leaves no room 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.659 for passivity 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.519 or laziness 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.080 on our part. 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.220 But too many 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:55.779 of us 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.679 use our 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.240 diligence 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:58.840 and busyness 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:00.039 to mask 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.620 our lack 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:00.980 of faith 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.419 in God. 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.080 We use 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.460 the fact 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:06.879 that God 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.700 holds us 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:08.139 humans 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.779 responsible 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.899 for our 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.299 decisions 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:10.960 and actions 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:12.039 as an excuse 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:13.700 for distrusting 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.820 divine sovereignty. 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:19.160 I think 00:16:19.160 --> 00:16:19.480 that's why 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:19.840 we love 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.500 this often 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.100 told parable. 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:21.440 I'm sure 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:21.840 you've heard 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.020 it. 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:22.500 I don't 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:22.640 know if 00:16:22.640 --> 00:16:23.140 it's a joke 00:16:23.140 --> 00:16:23.720 or a parable. 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:24.580 A fellow 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.640 was apparently 00:16:25.640 --> 00:16:27.700 stuck on a 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.080 stranded 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:28.660 on a rooftop 00:16:28.660 --> 00:16:29.480 because there 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.000 was a flood 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:32.240 and he 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:32.860 prayed to God 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.640 for help. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:34.140 God, 00:16:34.260 --> 00:16:34.720 please come 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.060 and rescue 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:35.220 me. 00:16:35.260 --> 00:16:35.480 I have 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:35.780 faith. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.240 I'm relying 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:36.640 on you. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:37.720 And so 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.460 God sent 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.380 or 00:16:39.380 --> 00:16:40.680 I already 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.040 blew the 00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:41.280 joke. 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:43.500 So a 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:43.919 rowboat 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.299 comes around 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:46.139 and offers 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:46.539 to give him 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:46.879 a ride. 00:16:46.959 --> 00:16:47.120 He says, 00:16:47.199 --> 00:16:47.279 hey, 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:47.519 come, 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:47.959 jump in. 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.279 I'll help 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:48.439 you. 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:48.980 And then 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.199 the guy 00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:49.399 goes, 00:16:49.439 --> 00:16:49.559 no, 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:49.699 no, 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:49.819 no, 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:49.959 no. 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:50.259 I've 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:50.399 been 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:50.659 praying 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.039 to God. 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:51.419 I have 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:51.720 faith. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:52.100 I'll 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:52.339 wait. 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.659 And then 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.360 later a 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.799 motorboat 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.299 comes by 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:55.519 and says, 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:55.659 hey, 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.179 jump in. 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:56.759 Let me 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.019 get you 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.199 out of 00:16:57.199 --> 00:16:57.519 the flood. 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:57.799 And he 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:58.000 says, 00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:58.279 no, 00:16:58.679 --> 00:16:59.059 I've 00:16:59.059 --> 00:16:59.199 been 00:16:59.199 --> 00:16:59.459 praying 00:16:59.459 --> 00:16:59.879 to God. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.199 I'm 00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:00.360 just 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:00.480 going 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:00.559 to 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:00.860 wait. 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:02.799 I 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:02.959 have 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:03.259 faith. 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:04.160 And 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:04.279 then 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.759 finally a 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.180 helicopter 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.579 comes. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:05.940 He's 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.420 literally 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.000 about to 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.299 sink. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.279 And the 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:08.619 helicopter 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.000 comes and 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.139 says, 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:09.480 come on, 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:09.899 climb onto 00:17:09.899 --> 00:17:10.319 this ladder 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.599 and I'll 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:11.180 rescue you. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.039 And then 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:13.359 he says, 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:13.960 I have 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.359 faith. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:15.779 I'm not 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.660 going to go. 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.200 And of 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:18.359 course, 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:18.899 he dies. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.639 He drowns. 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:20.839 And then 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:21.180 he goes 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.660 to heaven 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.859 because he 00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:23.220 did have 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:23.579 faith. 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.220 And he 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.700 asks God, 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.079 he brings 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.460 God to 00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:28.680 task. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.039 God, 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.500 I 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:30.980 prayed 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.240 with 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:31.639 faith. 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:33.000 Why did 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.279 you not 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:33.639 come to 00:17:33.639 --> 00:17:34.139 rescue me 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:34.440 and leave 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:34.720 me to 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:34.920 die 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:35.340 stranded 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:35.600 in the 00:17:35.600 --> 00:17:35.840 flood? 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.200 And 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:37.340 then 00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:37.540 God 00:17:37.540 --> 00:17:37.960 replied, 00:17:38.280 --> 00:17:38.600 I 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:38.900 sent 00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:39.040 you 00:17:39.040 --> 00:17:39.220 a 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:39.660 rowboat 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.200 and a 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:40.660 motorboat 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.200 and a 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:41.660 helicopter. 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:42.580 What 00:17:42.580 --> 00:17:43.040 more did 00:17:43.040 --> 00:17:43.560 you expect? 00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:47.140 God 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:47.500 does 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:47.720 use 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.140 means. 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:48.540 I'm 00:17:48.540 --> 00:17:48.700 not 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.000 denying 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.300 that. 00:17:49.800 --> 00:17:49.980 God 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.280 often 00:17:50.280 --> 00:17:50.520 uses 00:17:50.520 --> 00:17:51.000 people. 00:17:52.280 --> 00:17:52.420 He 00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:52.780 often 00:17:52.780 --> 00:17:53.140 uses 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:53.580 you. 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:54.680 But 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:54.920 this 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.220 does 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:55.720 not 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.200 mean 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:56.540 then 00:17:56.540 --> 00:17:56.860 that 00:17:56.860 --> 00:17:57.120 the 00:17:57.120 --> 00:17:57.380 man 00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:58.000 stranded 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.259 in 00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:58.400 the 00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:58.740 flood 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.280 should 00:17:59.280 --> 00:17:59.460 have 00:17:59.460 --> 00:17:59.940 swum 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:00.660 frantically 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.800 trying to 00:18:01.800 --> 00:18:02.080 save 00:18:02.080 --> 00:18:02.460 himself 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:02.740 without 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.440 any 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.160 recourse 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:04.519 to God 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:04.740 without 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.339 any 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:05.819 reliance 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.259 on God. 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:06.960 That's 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.400 not what 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:07.759 it looks 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.180 like to 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:08.620 live a 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.000 life of 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.259 faith. 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:12.440 There 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.059 is an 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:13.620 important 00:18:13.620 --> 00:18:14.460 difference 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.079 between 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:16.220 trusting God 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:16.960 to provide 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.740 through people 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:19.079 and trusting 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.519 people in 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:20.880 the place 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:21.319 of God. 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:23.379 God 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:25.579 to 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:25.759 trust 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.460 to 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.960 use 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.359 you 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:29.720 and 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.119 trusting 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:30.759 yourself. 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:32.839 A 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:33.099 big 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:33.599 difference. 00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:36.059 A 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:36.500 telltale 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:36.980 sign 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.119 of whether 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:38.299 or not 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:38.439 you're 00:18:38.439 --> 00:18:38.740 trusting 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.119 God 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:39.579 is the 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.139 vibrancy 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:40.399 of your 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:40.659 prayer 00:18:40.659 --> 00:18:41.039 life. 00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:43.059 Is 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.659 prayer 00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:44.000 an 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.559 optional 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:44.899 thing 00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:45.179 that you 00:18:45.179 --> 00:18:45.559 tag 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.000 on to 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.259 the 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.099 indispensable 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:47.740 work 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.339 that you 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:48.599 do 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:48.779 with 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:48.919 your 00:18:48.919 --> 00:18:49.099 own 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:49.439 hands? 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:51.160 Or 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.400 is 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:51.940 prayer 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:52.580 an 00:18:52.580 --> 00:18:53.600 indispensable 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.279 work 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:54.580 that 00:18:54.580 --> 00:18:55.080 calls 00:18:55.080 --> 00:18:55.519 upon 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.340 God's 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.120 indispensable 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:57.600 work 00:18:57.600 --> 00:18:58.080 to bear 00:18:58.080 --> 00:18:58.380 on your 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.720 life? 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.519 Do you 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:03.900 have a 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.860 habit of 00:19:04.860 --> 00:19:05.340 taking things 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:05.580 into your 00:19:05.580 --> 00:19:06.039 own hands? 00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:09.259 Verse 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:09.700 6 is 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.240 in all 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.940 your ways 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:11.740 acknowledge 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.400 him 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.480 and he 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:14.059 will make 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.539 straight 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.259 your paths. 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.240 It doesn't 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:17.019 say pave 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.539 your own 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:17.880 way. 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:18.779 It doesn't 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.420 say forge 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:19.759 your own 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.200 path. 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.100 It says 00:19:21.100 --> 00:19:21.360 depend 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:22.039 on God, 00:19:22.320 --> 00:19:22.779 acknowledge 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.519 God, 00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:24.060 submit 00:19:24.060 --> 00:19:24.640 to his 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:25.140 authority, 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:25.820 align 00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.240 yourselves 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.720 to his 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.160 purposes 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:27.420 and 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:27.920 priorities 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.580 and 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:28.940 then 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:29.360 he 00:19:29.360 --> 00:19:29.779 will 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.220 smooth 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:30.640 out, 00:19:31.080 --> 00:19:31.440 straighten 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:31.680 your 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:31.980 path. 00:19:36.080 --> 00:19:36.720 George 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.100 Mueller 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:37.720 was a 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.220 19th 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.539 century 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:38.980 Christian 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.400 minister 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.660 famous 00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.200 for his 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:41.640 life of 00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:41.980 radical 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.420 dependence 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:42.640 on 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:42.920 God. 00:19:43.360 --> 00:19:43.779 When 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.039 God 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.700 first put 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:44.900 it in 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:45.060 his 00:19:45.060 --> 00:19:45.340 heart 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:45.580 to 00:19:45.580 --> 00:19:45.840 build 00:19:45.840 --> 00:19:46.519 orphanages, 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.100 he 00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:47.580 had only 00:19:47.580 --> 00:19:47.900 two 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:48.480 shillings, 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.120 equivalent 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.319 to have 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:49.579 50 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.079 cents 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.319 in his 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:51.679 pocket. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.279 And he 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:54.119 fundraised 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:56.139 400,000 00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:56.679 pounds, 00:19:57.679 --> 00:19:58.519 7 million 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:58.859 dollar 00:19:58.859 --> 00:19:59.279 equivalent, 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:00.659 without 00:20:00.659 --> 00:20:01.379 making his 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.179 financial needs 00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:02.959 known to a 00:20:02.959 --> 00:20:03.839 single human 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.199 being. 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.159 Only by 00:20:09.159 --> 00:20:09.679 praying to 00:20:09.679 --> 00:20:09.939 God. 00:20:12.739 --> 00:20:13.359 In 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:14.039 response to 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:14.559 his prayers 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.039 of faith, 00:20:15.179 --> 00:20:15.679 people sent 00:20:15.679 --> 00:20:16.039 him money, 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:16.439 left and 00:20:16.439 --> 00:20:16.659 right, 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:18.000 God 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.040 even though 00:20:19.040 --> 00:20:19.300 he never 00:20:19.300 --> 00:20:19.980 asked anyone, 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.980 never told anyone of the need. 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:23.900 So he founded and directed the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, 00:20:24.060 --> 00:20:27.440 England and cared for over 10,000 orphans during his lifetime. 00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:34.320 He established 117 schools that offered Christian education to more than 120,000 people. 00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:40.759 And in his autobiography, Mueller writes about how he learned to trust God so completely. 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:42.299 Quote, 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:52.579 when a trial of faith comes, we are naturally inclined to distrust God and to trust in ourselves, in our friends, or in circumstances. 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:59.019 We would rather work a deliverance of our own than simply look to God and wait for his help. 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:09.939 But if we do not patiently wait for God's help, or if we work a deliverance of our own, then at the next trial of our faith, we will have the same problem. 00:21:10.679 --> 00:21:14.199 We will again be inclined to try and deliver ourselves. 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:18.100 With every fresh trial, our faith will decrease. 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:28.779 On the contrary, if we stand firm in order to see the salvation of God, trusting in him alone, our faith will be increased. 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:37.080 I know this example makes some of you uncomfortable. 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.920 It should. 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:39.960 It should. 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:48.120 I don't think all of us should live as George Mueller did. 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.900 I wish all of us could. 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:54.100 But I don't think all of us should, because not all of us have George Mueller's faith. 00:21:57.660 --> 00:22:00.160 To do such things without faith is presumption. 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:03.000 A testing of God, not faith in God. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:15.240 But I do think all of us should push the envelope bit by bit every day to become more and more radically dependent on God. 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:22.059 Is there a way you can be more dependent on God and less dependent on yourself today? 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:31.359 I can assure you that God can get more things done without our help than you and I can imagine. 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:42.079 After the general exhortation to trust in the Lord, we are given specific examples of trust in the Lord in the rest of this passage. 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:44.279 It says in verses 7 to 8, 00:22:44.379 --> 00:23:00.919 Later in Proverbs 26, 12, it says that a person who is wise in his own eyes is worse than a fool. 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:04.579 There's more hope for a fool than for a person who is wise in his own eyes. 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:11.319 Why? Because a fool is ignorant, but the man who is wise in his own eyes is ignorant and prideful. 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.980 Confident in his ignorance. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:17.460 He's impervious to instruction and correction. 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:22.039 And the antidote for that, being wise in one's own eyes, is fear of the Lord. 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:27.179 Because fear of the Lord combines the knowledge of God with humility before God. 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:30.679 It deals with both our ignorance and our pride. 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:35.340 To fear the Lord, as I've been saying over this series, 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:42.620 is to live every waking moment before the presence of, under the authority of, and for the glory of God. 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:44.799 That's what it means to live in the fear of God. 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:48.100 It means to live with faith in God and with humility before Him. 00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:54.539 And the fear of God is evidenced in our turning away from evil, it says. 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:57.560 To turn away is the word that's often rendered, repent. 00:23:57.559 --> 00:24:02.059 Is there a sin in your life that you have not turned away from? 00:24:02.679 --> 00:24:08.240 Sin that you condone, that you hide, that you rationalize? 00:24:12.139 --> 00:24:16.079 Is there a vice that God is calling you to renounce in your life right now, 00:24:16.419 --> 00:24:20.339 that you think God doesn't see or care enough about? 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:27.359 If you fear the Lord, you would turn from it. 00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:32.079 And that would be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:36.579 Whenever we see promises like this, we ask ourselves, 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.679 is this promise true? 00:24:38.459 --> 00:24:40.839 Or is this just naivete? 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:40.959 Okay. 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:45.819 Aren't there plenty of people who fear the Lord, 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:49.960 that don't have health and healing? 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:57.779 Proverbs is not unaware that, in some cases, wicked flourish and prosper. 00:24:58.660 --> 00:25:00.600 That's why Proverbs 23, 17 says, 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:02.279 Let not your heart envy sinners, 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:04.959 but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:08.619 The fear of the Lord brings many temporal blessings, 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.099 generally speaking. 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:13.939 But because we live in a sinful, upside-down world, 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:17.699 sometimes fearing the Lord and living with the fear of God 00:25:17.699 --> 00:25:19.359 brings injustice and persecution. 00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:24.000 In such cases, we are not to envy sinners, 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:25.799 but continue in the fear of the Lord, 00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:29.959 trusting that God's justice will ultimately prevail. 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:32.119 And that there will be eternal blessings. 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:37.059 Verses 9 to 10 teach us about another way 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:38.679 in which to trust God practically. 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.240 It says, 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.879 Honor the Lord with your wealth 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:44.359 and with the firstfruits of all your produce. 00:25:44.719 --> 00:25:46.539 Then your barns will be filled with plenty 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:48.500 and your vats will be bursting with wine. 00:25:49.199 --> 00:25:51.379 The Hebrew word behind the word honor 00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:54.159 literally means to count as heavy, 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:57.299 to give weight to someone. 00:25:57.299 --> 00:26:01.379 So then to honor the Lord with your wealth, 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:03.579 then it's to give weight to God 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:05.980 in the way you use your money. 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:10.599 It's very helpful to think about it this way 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:13.339 because that gets us away from this 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:15.159 kind of minimum requirement mentality. 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:18.620 God, how much must I give 00:26:18.620 --> 00:26:21.120 so that I can spend the rest of it for myself? 00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.580 What is the requirement? 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.480 I'll do it. 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:27.000 Just tell me where the line is 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:29.960 so that I can have this under control 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:31.800 and live the way I want. 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:36.799 This command doesn't allow for that. 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:40.460 Honor the Lord with your wealth. 00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:47.799 God's concerned about the balance of it all, 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.960 the weight of it all. 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:53.680 Is your budget weighted toward God 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:55.079 or toward yourself? 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:59.720 Will someone who looks at your budget say, 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.639 God is counted heavily in this budget? 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:05.139 Or will the person not even know 00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:06.019 that you believe in God? 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:11.159 We are to honor the Lord 00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:13.299 with the first fruits of all of our produce, 00:27:13.419 --> 00:27:13.759 he says. 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:16.419 First fruits refer to the first produce 00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:17.180 of the season 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:20.339 and the first offspring of one's livestock 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:22.680 that God's people were expected to bring 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.259 as an offering. 00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:24.480 It's a form of tribute, 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.659 an acknowledgement that we are a people 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.779 under God's authority 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:29.379 and that all of our blessings 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:30.899 ultimately come from God. 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:33.140 And it's the first fruits, 00:27:33.780 --> 00:27:35.500 not leftovers, 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.840 that are required. 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:41.720 We're not to give God the worst things, 00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:43.600 but the best things. 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:47.300 We don't merely give what is expendable to us, 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:50.460 we give what is expensive to us, 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.460 costly to us. 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:57.160 This is so countercultural 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:58.319 because in our society, 00:27:58.680 --> 00:28:01.940 we live in a society that trusts in capital, 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:03.900 not in God's worth, 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.120 not in God. 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:08.759 The way we use our money 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:10.940 will often reveal whether or not 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:12.600 we actually trust God 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.799 to provide for us 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:15.960 or whether we're trusting ourselves 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:17.039 to provide for ourselves. 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:21.940 Job 31 puts it this way, 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:23.099 verses 24 to 28, 00:28:23.159 --> 00:28:25.339 If I have made gold my trust 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:28.420 or called fine gold my confidence, 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:30.039 if I have rejoiced 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:31.700 because my wealth was abundant 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:33.460 or because my hand had found much 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:36.740 and my heart has been secretly enticed 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:39.000 and my mouth has kissed my hand, 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:41.519 this also would be an iniquity 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:43.099 to be punished by the judges, 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:46.699 for I would have been false to God above. 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:50.759 To trust in your wealth below 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:54.059 is to be false to your God above, 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.879 to distrust God. 00:29:01.219 --> 00:29:02.859 Proverbs 18, 10 to 11 00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:05.159 mocks trusting in wealth this way, 00:29:05.219 --> 00:29:07.559 The name of the Lord is a strong tower. 00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:10.319 The righteous man runs into it and is safe. 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:13.259 A rich man's wealth is his strong city 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:17.500 and like a high wall in his imagination. 00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:25.559 Your wealth might make you feel safe and secure, 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:27.500 but it's only an illusion 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:30.619 because true safety and security 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:32.659 is found in God alone. 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:37.740 At any given moment, 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:41.240 there are billions of possibilities, 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:43.660 things that can happen to you. 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:49.519 You think money will protect you from that? 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.680 Certainly, it's possible 00:29:58.680 --> 00:30:01.380 to neglect responsible saving 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:03.220 in a sinful, ungodly way. 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:05.660 Spending things we shouldn't be spending, 00:30:05.820 --> 00:30:06.840 indulging in ourselves, 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:09.580 not being generous. 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.480 But it's also possible 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:16.060 to save more than we should, 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:19.720 to compensate for our lack of faith in God 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:21.500 through saving. 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:26.039 In the parable of the rich fool 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.700 in Luke 12, 13 to 21, 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:29.980 Jesus rebukes the rich fool 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.160 who says to himself, 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:33.240 Soul, you have ample goods 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:34.480 laid up for many years. 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:36.799 Relax, eat, drink, be merry. 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.380 God says to him, 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:43.099 Fool, this night your soul 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:44.279 is required of you. 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:46.079 And the things you have prepared, 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.519 whose will they be? 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:49.920 So is the one who lays up 00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.839 treasure for himself 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:52.740 and is not rich toward God. 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:55.359 Are you rich toward yourself 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:57.240 or are you rich toward God? 00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:01.019 Where is the balance of it all? 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:03.400 Where does the weight of it fall? 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:07.079 This is not advice you'll hear 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:08.359 from people in Wall Street. 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:11.720 They're always talking about 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:14.279 the risk of living too long, 00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:17.059 the unreliable investment returns, 00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:19.159 the unforeseen medical expenses, 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.960 warning us that you can never 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:22.279 possibly save enough. 00:31:22.919 --> 00:31:24.519 But if our functional trust 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.759 is in our own ability 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:27.039 to provide for ourselves 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:28.659 rather than in God's provision, 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:31.319 we will never be rich toward God. 00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:38.200 But if we're rich toward God, 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.379 God promises in verse 10, 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:41.240 then your barns will be filled 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.899 with plenty 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:43.799 and your vats will be bursting 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.839 with wine. 00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:46.559 That's literally new wine, 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:48.240 which refers to the first 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.579 drippings of, 00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:50.519 I guess, 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.879 of juice from grapes 00:31:51.879 --> 00:31:54.579 before it's pressed, 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:57.339 before they're trotted upon 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:58.220 in the wine press. 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:01.460 It's the most potent, 00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:03.460 the most delicious part 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.059 of the wine, 00:32:04.159 --> 00:32:04.700 new wine. 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.799 Your vats will overflow 00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.759 with this new wine. 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.919 God's not saying, 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.339 God's saying 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.720 he's not going to be stingy with you. 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:13.700 He's going to give you 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.539 the best affair. 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.920 You're going to have plenty 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.759 to eat and drink. 00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:19.279 Once again, 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:20.579 Proverbs is not unaware 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:21.860 that there are exceptions 00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:22.579 to this rule. 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.920 But exceptions do not 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:26.140 disprove the rule. 00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:27.279 They actually, 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:28.319 by their very existence, 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.400 prove the rule, 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:30.259 that it applies 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.440 in all the other circumstances. 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:34.620 But even if your situation 00:32:34.620 --> 00:32:35.500 is the exception, 00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:37.440 Proverbs 16.8 says, 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:38.980 Better is a little 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:40.080 with righteousness 00:32:40.080 --> 00:32:41.860 than great revenues 00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:42.779 with injustice. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.500 Hold on. 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:47.019 Continue to fear God 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.820 and live faithfully 00:32:47.820 --> 00:32:49.039 for Him. 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:51.660 Even when you don't have much, 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.680 trust in God 00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:53.519 and not in your riches. 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:56.860 And you will ultimately 00:32:56.860 --> 00:32:57.580 be rewarded. 00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.660 Heavenly treasure 00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:01.279 will be yours. 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:06.539 The sage gives us 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.360 one more example 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:08.419 of trusting God 00:33:08.419 --> 00:33:09.319 in verses 11-12. 00:33:09.419 --> 00:33:09.939 My son, 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:11.139 do not despise 00:33:11.139 --> 00:33:11.939 the Lord's discipline 00:33:11.939 --> 00:33:12.659 or be weary 00:33:12.659 --> 00:33:13.539 of His reproof. 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:14.939 For the Lord reproves 00:33:14.939 --> 00:33:16.399 Him whom He loves 00:33:16.399 --> 00:33:17.519 as a father, 00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:18.619 the son in whom 00:33:18.619 --> 00:33:19.379 He delights. 00:33:21.179 --> 00:33:22.379 If you don't trust 00:33:22.379 --> 00:33:22.959 in the Lord, 00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:24.019 you will despise 00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.659 His discipline 00:33:24.659 --> 00:33:25.579 and reproof. 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.459 Isn't this true? 00:33:28.199 --> 00:33:28.719 Isn't this how 00:33:28.719 --> 00:33:30.059 our parents raised us? 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:32.039 Isn't this how 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:33.179 we raised our parents? 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.319 Raised our parents? 00:33:34.399 --> 00:33:34.979 Raised our children? 00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:35.899 Sorry. 00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:37.580 Please don't try 00:33:37.580 --> 00:33:38.200 to raise your parents. 00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:44.000 This is how 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.780 I treat my kids. 00:33:46.600 --> 00:33:47.180 It seems like 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:47.740 nowadays, 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:53.720 parenting is increasingly 00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.820 a kind of 00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:56.620 lazy affair. 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.960 Just let them be. 00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:00.259 Let them take 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.240 the course of life. 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:03.920 let them figure out 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.700 things for themselves. 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:05.960 Let them discover 00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:06.960 their true selves. 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:08.559 I don't know 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.340 where that idea 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.039 came from. 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:18.980 My kids would be 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.619 dead already 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:22.039 if I let them do that. 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:27.559 Kids, 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.760 by definition, 00:34:29.239 --> 00:34:29.699 don't know 00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:30.539 what's best for them. 00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:31.579 That's why 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:32.359 they have parents. 00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:37.299 And parents 00:34:37.299 --> 00:34:38.159 who don't 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:38.619 discipline 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.039 children 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:40.039 and teach them 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:41.079 right from wrong 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:42.259 that parents 00:34:42.259 --> 00:34:43.739 don't correct 00:34:43.739 --> 00:34:45.039 their misbehaviors 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:46.299 are not 00:34:46.299 --> 00:34:47.179 being good parents. 00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.179 They're neglectful 00:34:48.179 --> 00:34:48.679 parents. 00:34:50.759 --> 00:34:51.319 Likewise, 00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:52.019 God says, 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:52.879 if you want me 00:34:52.879 --> 00:34:53.879 to care about you, 00:34:54.319 --> 00:34:55.539 if you want me 00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:56.739 to invest in you 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:57.639 as my child, 00:34:57.859 --> 00:34:58.779 as my son 00:34:58.780 --> 00:34:59.800 and daughter, 00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:01.000 beloved children 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.420 of God, 00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.140 I am going to 00:35:02.140 --> 00:35:03.100 be in your life. 00:35:03.620 --> 00:35:04.500 And there will 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.100 be discipline. 00:35:06.200 --> 00:35:07.160 And that's not 00:35:07.160 --> 00:35:08.260 something to dread. 00:35:08.660 --> 00:35:09.660 It's not a sign 00:35:09.660 --> 00:35:11.000 of God's displeasure. 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:14.240 It's not a sign 00:35:14.240 --> 00:35:15.120 of God's hatred. 00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:17.380 It's a sign 00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:18.140 of God's love. 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:18.239 God's love. 00:35:24.239 --> 00:35:25.159 But if you don't 00:35:25.159 --> 00:35:25.980 trust in God, 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.759 when your life 00:35:27.759 --> 00:35:28.699 is miserable, 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:30.219 when things are not 00:35:30.219 --> 00:35:31.119 going the way you want, 00:35:31.219 --> 00:35:31.980 when you're suffering, 00:35:32.159 --> 00:35:32.839 when you're sick, 00:35:33.199 --> 00:35:33.879 when you're not making 00:35:33.879 --> 00:35:34.980 as much money as you want, 00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:36.019 when people are not 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:36.719 nice to you, 00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:37.719 when all of these 00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:38.460 things happen, 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:39.799 you're going to 00:35:39.799 --> 00:35:40.719 start to get insecure. 00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:43.199 You're going to 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:44.440 start to resent God, 00:35:44.759 --> 00:35:45.599 be bitter toward Him, 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:47.319 because your trust 00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:48.679 was not in the Lord, 00:35:48.779 --> 00:35:50.400 but in your circumstances. 00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:01.259 When we trust 00:36:01.259 --> 00:36:01.639 in the Lord 00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:02.639 and distrust ourselves, 00:36:02.779 --> 00:36:03.619 verse 4 promises, 00:36:03.799 --> 00:36:04.799 you will find favor 00:36:04.799 --> 00:36:06.400 and good success 00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:07.539 in the sight of God 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.000 and man. 00:36:11.219 --> 00:36:12.400 If we are honest 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:13.039 with ourselves 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:15.099 in the ultimate sense, 00:36:15.099 --> 00:36:16.079 yeah, sure, 00:36:16.159 --> 00:36:17.059 in a relative sense, 00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:19.019 maybe we are behaving 00:36:19.019 --> 00:36:19.559 properly, 00:36:19.779 --> 00:36:20.779 we're living righteously, 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:22.099 and we experience 00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:23.460 favor with God 00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:23.900 and man. 00:36:25.199 --> 00:36:26.000 Relatively speaking, 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:26.759 that may be true, 00:36:27.259 --> 00:36:28.860 but speaking absolutely, 00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:31.920 there's not a single 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.679 person in this room, 00:36:32.739 --> 00:36:33.719 not a single person 00:36:33.719 --> 00:36:34.380 on earth 00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:36.000 that lives 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:37.380 to deserve 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:38.460 this favor 00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:39.319 and good success 00:36:39.319 --> 00:36:40.099 in the sight of God 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:40.480 and man. 00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:43.240 because we have 00:36:43.240 --> 00:36:43.880 all sinned. 00:36:44.619 --> 00:36:45.320 We have all 00:36:45.320 --> 00:36:46.260 failed to trust God. 00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:49.559 But there is 00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:50.639 one man 00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:53.679 that lived 00:36:53.679 --> 00:36:54.119 this way. 00:36:57.260 --> 00:36:58.139 Luke 2, 00:36:58.280 --> 00:36:58.860 chapter 2, 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.780 verse 52 00:36:59.780 --> 00:37:00.699 describes Jesus 00:37:00.699 --> 00:37:01.119 this way. 00:37:01.199 --> 00:37:01.320 It says, 00:37:01.320 --> 00:37:02.920 Jesus increased 00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.659 in wisdom 00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:05.039 and in stature 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:06.539 and in favor 00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:07.860 with God 00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:08.760 and man. 00:37:08.760 --> 00:37:12.740 Jesus trusted 00:37:12.740 --> 00:37:13.400 in God 00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:13.820 his Father 00:37:13.820 --> 00:37:14.460 perfectly 00:37:14.460 --> 00:37:15.900 and he increased 00:37:15.900 --> 00:37:16.880 in favor 00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:17.460 with God 00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:17.860 and man. 00:37:18.940 --> 00:37:19.860 He was the 00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:20.420 obedient 00:37:20.420 --> 00:37:21.460 Son of God 00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:22.180 that conducted 00:37:22.180 --> 00:37:23.480 himself always 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:24.960 with steadfast love 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:25.980 and faithfulness. 00:37:28.040 --> 00:37:29.580 He was the one 00:37:29.580 --> 00:37:31.400 that fulfills 00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:33.100 all of these promises. 00:37:34.100 --> 00:37:34.680 His life 00:37:34.680 --> 00:37:35.040 should have 00:37:35.040 --> 00:37:35.840 been characterized 00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:37.039 by longevity, 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.400 health, 00:37:40.320 --> 00:37:41.039 eternal, 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:43.500 endless riches. 00:37:48.300 --> 00:37:49.800 But he dies 00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:51.780 in poverty, 00:37:52.380 --> 00:37:53.420 in suffering, 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:58.240 unjustly persecuted 00:37:58.239 --> 00:38:01.619 on a cross. 00:38:05.419 --> 00:38:06.179 What happened 00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:06.819 to your promises, 00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:07.239 God? 00:38:09.419 --> 00:38:10.059 What about 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:10.739 these Proverbs? 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:14.759 And here's 00:38:14.759 --> 00:38:15.459 where we find hope. 00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:15.879 Jesus 00:38:15.879 --> 00:38:17.000 is the obedient 00:38:17.000 --> 00:38:17.459 Son 00:38:17.459 --> 00:38:18.799 that's characterized 00:38:18.799 --> 00:38:19.500 in this, 00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:20.779 described in this 00:38:20.779 --> 00:38:21.139 proverb, 00:38:21.839 --> 00:38:22.559 but in order to 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.619 make all of us 00:38:23.619 --> 00:38:24.899 the rebels, 00:38:25.099 --> 00:38:26.019 the disobedient 00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:26.919 children of God, 00:38:26.920 --> 00:38:29.659 sons and daughters 00:38:29.659 --> 00:38:30.119 who have brought 00:38:30.119 --> 00:38:31.360 shame and reproach 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:32.039 to the face 00:38:32.039 --> 00:38:32.760 of our Father 00:38:32.760 --> 00:38:34.159 in order to bring us 00:38:34.159 --> 00:38:35.320 and reconcile us 00:38:35.320 --> 00:38:35.780 to God, 00:38:36.240 --> 00:38:37.220 in order to give us 00:38:37.220 --> 00:38:38.019 these blessings 00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:38.980 that we have 00:38:38.980 --> 00:38:40.720 cut ourselves up from. 00:38:41.099 --> 00:38:41.900 That's why God 00:38:41.900 --> 00:38:42.220 the Father 00:38:42.220 --> 00:38:43.059 sends His Son 00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:43.880 Jesus to die 00:38:43.880 --> 00:38:44.539 on the cross 00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:45.460 for us. 00:38:47.880 --> 00:38:48.559 That's why 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:49.059 He hangs 00:38:49.059 --> 00:38:49.780 on that cross 00:38:49.780 --> 00:38:52.700 so that we 00:38:52.700 --> 00:38:53.780 might experience 00:38:53.780 --> 00:38:54.800 these promises. 00:38:56.920 --> 00:38:58.800 Have you 00:38:58.800 --> 00:38:59.320 trusted 00:38:59.320 --> 00:39:00.539 in Jesus 00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:02.200 who fulfills 00:39:02.200 --> 00:39:03.039 this word 00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:03.500 for you? 00:39:03.599 --> 00:39:04.180 Have you 00:39:04.180 --> 00:39:05.400 trusted 00:39:05.400 --> 00:39:07.840 in Jesus 00:39:07.840 --> 00:39:09.659 who fulfills 00:39:09.659 --> 00:39:13.639 this word 00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:15.680 for you?