BUILDING YOUR HOUSE
“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” [Psalm 127:1]
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out and set up her seven [measure of perfection] pillars. [Proverbs 9:1]
Never in the history of the human race have there been so many problems, so much confusion, and so many conflicting philosophies of how to live. Those who lack wisdom do not have the perspectives that enable them to discern the connection between cause and effect and therefore they don’t understand what they are stumbling over.The writer of Proverbs is saying to us that wisdom has been established and is supported by perfection. In the book of Proverbs wisdom and its antithesis folly are depicted as women, each of whom attempts to persuade people to follow her ways. The purpose of this personification is to make the reader vividly aware that over and against the fatal attraction of folly, wisdom brings true delight. Wisdom is the soul’s true bride, true counselor and true hostess.
Alexandra Maclaren, a famous preacher from a past generation, said: “Proverbs is a portable medicine for the fevers of youth.” However, what matters the most with any medicine is that it is used for its intended purpose. Many non-Christians have stumbled over the reality of Proverbs as a guide for living but the Christian message moves beyond the wise proverbs of Solomon, and point to the fact that the highest wisdom comes from a relationship with the One who is the fount of all wisdom—Jesus Christ. “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” [1 Corinthians 1:24] Knowing the principles of wisdom is one thing; knowing the Person in whom all wisdom resides is another.
Whenever we begin to build there must first be a relationship of trust. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…and he will make your paths straight.” [Proverbs 3:5] According to Rabbi Bar Kappa, this verse is the pivot around which all the essential principles of Judaism revolve. He claims that these words summarize the teaching of the whole of the Old Testament and give a clear focus to the fact that the wise are those who trust God and follow His directions for living.
We tend to think of trust as a spiritual quality, but actually it is an essential posture of life for everyone. It would be very difficult to get through a single day without the exercise of trust. All government, all economics, all institutions, all marriages, all relationships between people, are fundamentally governed by trust—or the lack of it. We cannot relate well to God or others unless the capacity to trust is present within us.
Webster defines ‘trust’ as –“a firm belief in the reliability, honesty, veracity, justice and strength of a person or thing.” Basically ‘trust’ is confidence – confidence that what we believe about a person or thing is true. Trust is a learned response. A person who finds it difficult to trust on a human level often finds it difficult to trust on a spiritual level. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man…it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” [Psalm 118:8-9]Trusting in man or oneself is fruitless David trusted and was ridiculed by his family, hunted by the king he served because of resentment and betrayed by his son because of greed. Paul said to Timothy [2 Timothy—1:15] All in Asia have deserted me—Jesus said in Matthew 26 –the disciples fell asleep then denied Him.
Trusting in the world systems is fatal. “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!” [Isaiah 31:1] Trusting in the arm of the flesh is fruitless. “This is what the Lord says; “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” [Jeremiah 17:5]
Trusting in your own heart is foolish. “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.” [Proverbs 28:26]
Participate with the Spirit and take this self assessment---whatever areas you are not able to check as a measure of your trust, let them be a point of prayer and yielding to the Holy Spirit as He sheds God's love [trust] in your heart.
WHAT TRUST IN GOD PRODUCES
[Psalm 37:1-11]
GOOD ACTIONS
LIVE IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
PLEASURE IN GOD’S PRESENCE
RECEIVES WHAT THE HEART DESIRES
IS DIRECTED BY GOD
RIGHT POSITION [responsibility]
RIGHT STANDING [authority]
REST IN THE PROMISES
HAS PATIENCE
STANDING STRENGTH AGAINST THE ENEMY
GAINS THEIR INHERITANCE
PRODUCES MEEKNESS
HAVE GREAT PEACE
“For we are God’s fellow workers…you are God’s building”
[1 Corinthians 3:9]
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