Sunday 25 November 2018

The Experience of God

Scripture: Proverbs 3 v 5 - 12: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
 6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
 7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
 8  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 
 9  Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
 10  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
 11  My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
 12  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."

If we take this passage of scripture in Proverbs to heart and follow its wisdom precisely, we will experience our God more completely than we could ever hope for.

If we trust the Lord in all things we will never make a mistake for He knows our needs and our future.  Its when we lean on our own understanding or think we know better, that we fall into error.

When we acknowledge His Lordship over us, and submit gracefully to it, He will lead us into the abundant life.  That is not the lap of luxury type of abundance, but just always having enough, with a bit over to help others in need.

He says we must not be wise in our own eyes, or think we are superior to others, as this opens a door that allows evil thoughts and schemes to affect the way we think.  It brings us into a negative spiritual attitude, called sin, which we need to overcome.

If we walk in righteousness we will know good health, even to the marrow in our bones.  Our marrow contains stem cells from which come our red and white blood cells.  Red blood cells send oxygen throughout our body, white cells fight infections and the platelets assist in blood clotting.  Healthy marrow is vital to life.

There is no way Solomon who wrote Proverbs could have known about the function of marrow, but the wisdom God gave him to include this information shows us what the experience of God is like.  It provides us with hidden knowledge that will bring a blessing to others.  When Solomon became king of Israel he said -

1 Kings 3 v 8 - 13: "And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
 9  Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
 10  And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
 11  And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 
 12  Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
 13  And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days."

Remember our God responds to what we do.  Solomon says honour God with our wealth by giving Him the firstfruits of the profits we make in our businesses, and our stores will be filled to overflowing.  He means that we need to share our blessings with those who don't have the means to run factories or shops.  He will respond to our giving by always making sure we have enough to keep doing it.

The Lord disciplines and corrects us when we need it so don't resist and grumble when He finds a fault that needs fixing.  It's always for our benefit and never to hurt us.  He is a loving Father full of kindness, love and mercy.  He sees those who are genuinely sorry for their sins and He forgives us and blots out all memory of them.  Make sure we forgive ourselves too so we don't keep bringing to mind past errors God has no memory of.

So to live a long and fruitful life we will have our experience of God through our relationship with Him.  We need to trust, acknowledge and Honour Him so He can direct our steps and fill our barns.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we love You, worship You, adore You for all Your goodness towards us.  Let the words of this Proverb be written on our hearts to keep us on the strait and narrow path that leads to life.  Let Your overflowing goodness and blessing flow to bless others too.  In Jesus' name. Amen.