Proverbs 3:1-8
Trust your Teacher! The young man is finishing College, and is seeking
career guidance.
1. TRUSTING CHRIST INVOLVES A DECISION TO TRUST 5
a. Decide on a Total Capitulation to Christ.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart: _Capitulation_ means making Him your
Head. "No man can serve two masters..." (Matthew 6:24).
b. Decide on a Total Renunciation of Self.
Do not rely on your own insight. "There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death" (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).
2. TRUSTING CHRIST INVOLVES A DEVOTION TO TRUST 6a
"In all your ways acknowledge Him" - how do you do this?
a. Seek Daily the Presence of Christ.
Practice the presence of Christ - have a daily Q.T.: "Be still and know that I
am the LORD" (Psalm 46:10). He inhabits the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3).
Acknowledge Him by praising Him.
b. Seek Daily the Pleasure of Christ.
Be like Samuel - "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:10)
[NOT 'Listen Lord, your servant is speaking']. Don't just give God your
shopping list: read and pray; listen and obey. Be like Elijah - after the fire
came a still, small voice. If you want God's orders to obey, listen out for
them!
Acknowledge Him by pleasing Him.
3. TRUSTING CHRIST INVOLVES A DIRECTION OF TRUST 6b
"He will make straight your paths". Here is a twofold promise:
a. God promises to Remove Obstructions.
Faith moves mountains. Every hill and valley is removed when we prepare the
way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3-4). This was repeated to Zerubbabel (Zechariah
4:6-7) and repeated by Christ (Mark 11:23-24).
b. God promises to Reveal Instructions. Psalm 32:8.
"Your ears will hear a Word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,'
when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:21). Don't
think too hard about what you will say (Luke 12:11-12). God reveals His will
through His prophets to His saints.
"He who has begun a good work in you will complete it" (Philippians 1:6).
God has a plan for you to find, to follow, and to finish.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
<ben.crick@argonet.co.uk>
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
