October 2, 2016 (Proverbs 3:7,8)

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Prov 3:7,8).  This continues a series on having a reverential fear of the LORD as a means of living in a manner not only pleasing to God, but ensures one will avoid snares which Satan has set in the world to steal our joy, kill us not only spiritually but physically, and destroy relationships with other people as well as with our Creator. Being wise in one’s own eyes is to depend upon fleshly inclinations in making decisions. Doing so is to invite compromise of principles and loss of integrity in the long run, and results in anxiety and stress by finding oneself in an ungodly situation. There will eventually develop a lack of inner peace as well as satisfaction in a “job well done.” So it is gain of prestige or wealth are usually not the best motivations for choosing a path in life. Fear of the LORD, on the other hand, will direct one away from self-indulgent if not self-destructive motives. One’s purpose in life will be guided by that which brings honor to the name of Jesus to whose lordship one is submitted. This will not only bring health to the body but avoid pitfalls which are commonly the causation for premature death in highly industrialized societies. Scripture tells that God has a plan for each of our lives, a plan to bless us and prosper us in a manner which is not just good but the very best for us now and eternally. When we submit to His guiding, God promises to make our paths straight by removing obstacles and enabling us to make the right choices. For there is no genuine security in life apart from that found in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.