Proverbs 3:1-12, The Secret of Soul Care – Part III

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January 25, Proverbs 3:1-12

Ps. 119:165; Isa. 32:17-18; Eph. 2:13-14 “Blessed are they that do his commandments” (Rev. 22:14).

The Secret of Soul Care – Part III

Happiness as well as Healthiness is obeying the Lord. And peace shall they add to thee (3:2). God had to teach Abraham this blessed truth (Gen. 12:1). Following obediently the call of God was not easy for him then, nor is it easier for us today. Vs. 2 reminds us that happiness is never to be an end in itself. It is always a by-product of Peace (shalom), a right relationship with God and man. It is not found is books on How to Be Happy in Ten Easy Lessons. It is not having an “emotional high” at a charismatic rally. It is not something nebulous, but is found by those who are willing to be obedient to God’s Law. “Peace added forms the sunshine of the toilsome way” (Bridges).

  1. A Life of Quality: Peace! Life lived-in obedience to God brings not only long-life, but also quality-life. “There is perhaps a climax; not only length of days, prolonged existence, but years of life truly so-called, life worth living,” says Perowne. What a beautiful insight this presents! Years of life lived to the full is surely quality-life. When someone is chronically ill, over a lengthy period, there is a loss of quality-life, but what is quality-life? How is it measured? The answer of the believer will be found in the Scriptures of truth. The Bible does not promise the saints on earth will live trouble-free lives. Yet the believer is promised life worth living, and that will prove to be quality-life. This is a familiar theme from Sinai (Ex. 20:12) and on through to Apostolic times (Eph. 6:3). Paul links life worth living to honouring parents, among other things. There is not much preaching on this today, but why this should be is not clear. Yet the promised is still there for all who live in obedience to God’s Word. Let’s preach it and teach it, too!
  2. A Life of Harmony: The Hebrew Shalom was more than “Hello!” or “Hi!” It also involved much more than an absence of war or trouble. It was a prayer, if you will, for the total wellbeing of the life. It meant, a) a man-ward peace. It implied wholeness, soundness; total harmony in all relationships of life, especially within families, fulfilling all duties, and work well done at the end of the day. It meant b) an up-ward peace. Our relationship with God must be right as well as our relationship with man. Otherwise there is only discontent. Sinful man is restless until he finds rest (peace) in God. This comes only when our rebellious hearts are yielded to God, a foretaste of Eternal Peace (Jn. 14:27; Heb. 4:9). It meant c) an in-ward peace. Upward peace brings peace with God, but it also bestows the peace of God, which passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). Praise God, Jesus Christ, is our Peace (or Peace Offering). He Procured it by His blood (Eph. 2:13, 15). He Proclaimed it to them that were afar off, and to them that were nigh (Eph. 2:17). He Personified it, making both one (Jew-Gentile), and broke down the middle wall of partition between us (Eph. 2:14). Do you possess this threefold peace?

Thought: “Sow Holiness and Reap Happiness” (Swinnock).

Prayer: “Lord, make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be” (M. M’Cheyne).