Dependent!

Dependent!

Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. Proverbs 3:7 AMPC

Background:

Solomon is documented as the wisest man that ever lived. He went to the source of wisdom and asked, and the One who gives freely gave him as he requested. In addition to the wisdom he asked for, God gave Solomon wealth and riches beyond His wildest dreams. People came from the ends of the earth to hear him speak, and they came away impressed. Some even brought gifts to add to the wealth the man already had. His life has at least two lessons that this space can only take: God can give you all you ask for if you are in faith and in line with His will, but his gifts place a demand on you, that you will have to account for all that He has given you. God does not waste resources or experiences and whatever He allows you to become or to receive will be part of your learning and growing. As I live the life I have been given, I must keep the consciousness of accounting and reward at the back of my mind at all times. 

The Focus:

Solomon was blessed by God, and from the words of today's verse, he would know what he was talking about. A man can be so blessed that he can forget his source and begin to think he had anything to do with his possessions. A man can fool himself into thinking that his influence, earnings, political connections or networth would have bought him some favours. Unfortunately, that is an error that has become quite common these days, as men are taught to look inwards and outwards, rather than upwards. We are now taught that we can use schemes and projects to get us to the place we want to go, and that God really has nothing to do with it. Men have believed this lie, and we hear an expression such as 'self-made' men? What would that mean exactly? Were you created by yourself or did you form the materials that helped create the things that were put together by you to produce anything? Are you the creator or the origin of anything the earth has now? 

The Conclusion:

These questions are critical to the conclusion of the verse above. To fear the Lord is to turn away from all that He hates. Fear is both a good word, as well as a bad one, depending on the target of the fear. At all times, there will always be someone or something that holds your heart. You can't embrace the things God calls sin, and expect His grace to flow to you unhindered. God's nature will not allow it. I can't also turn partially to God, whilst keeping an eye on the things that are of this world. That will be called being lukewarm, which God says He hates. Lot's was running, but her heart never left Sodom and Gomorrah. That indecision cost her her life. From Solomon's life we learn that lesson too. He started well, but at some point, something went wrong. He made choices that seem to negate the wisdom He had asked from God. What am I pursuing at the moment? Can it guarantee me eternal life with God? Am I fully dependent on God or do I have options? May God keep my heart on Him alone, so I can enjoy the fullness of all He is. God's time of favour is here.