Obeying God Part Three

 Proverbs 3:1-18


1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;

2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,

4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction;

12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;

14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,  And all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.


When God called out to Moses from a burning bush and said, “I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10), Moses was understandably concerned that he was not up to the task.  “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” he asked (11).  God had to build Moses’ confidence by giving him the words to say and promising to be with Him.  He does the same in your life.


The Bible provides you with many principles that will help you obey God with all your heart and give you confidence that you can always trust Him to keep His promises.  For instance, Paul writes in Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God.”  When you trust God with your life, you can be certain that even when circumstances seem dire, God is leading you and directing you- and He will work things out for your good.


The Bible also tells us that “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).  When in doubt, you can choose to wait on God for an answer to your problem.   When you do, you can be confident that He will lead you in the best direction.


Meditating on God’s Word will also help build your confidence in Him.  Joshua noted the importance of this when he said to the Israelites, “Meditate in God’s laws day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8).  When you saturate your mind with Scripture, you gain God’s viewpoint and know right from wrong when temptation comes.


Even times of trial and challenges can build your confidence in God.  When the people of Israel entered the Promised Land at God’s direction, they had to face strong enemy opposition.  God will rarely empty your life of trouble and conflict, for if He did, you would not have any reason to depend on Him.  He allows enough difficulty to keep you turned toward Him.

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