5, October 2003
Dakota Community Church
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Week one: Trust
Proverbs 1:1-4
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young
We are given the chance to sit at the feet of Solomon and drink in the timeless secrets of life.
Pastor Bruce Belair challenged me in a Shiloh Youth service almost twenty years ago to make the chapter of the day from Proverbs a part of my daily devotions and I am still doing it.
The pastor walks up to the young man, puts his arm around him and says, “Son, I’m going to teach you how to steal, drink, lie, and swear.
“What?” replies the shocked youth?
“I’m going to teach you to steal time out of every day to read a chapter in the book of Proverbs, to drink in the Wisdom of Solomon, to lie on your bed and meditate on the truth you discover there and to swear by the grace of God to put it into action.”
Proverbs 9:1-6
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.
4 "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment.
5 "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.
- We are not told what the seven pillars are.
- I believe they are themes of truth that will lead to life.
The first “pillar” upon which I believe wisdom is built is TRUST.
Trust – according to your dictionary.com is:
1. Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
Basically, trust is: confidence that what we believe about a person or thing is true.
We are shocked when some one or something violates our trust.
It would be nearly impossible to get through a day without exercising trust.
- We trust the mechanic has properly fixed our breaks.
- We trust the best before date on the milk jug.
- We trust the teenager making our burger at McDonalds washed his hands after his last bathroom break.
Illustration:
1. In San Diego They have built an experimental highway: It is a system of computerized cars and specialized magnetic message devices installed in the road, the theory is that the computers and the message devices would drive the car for you, program the destination and let the computer do the rest, this would seem to be slower right, wrong the system is set to drive the car at speeds of 75 mph or more, there is only one problem
2. It’s a matter of trust: Buick engineers have the system in place on a test area and state that the technology is sound and it will work, however, they can not get anyone to drive in the special cars, no one will trust the system to work at such high speeds, the problem is literally a matter of trust.
If you want to live a life that reflects a foundation of wisdom, you will have to learn how and who to trust!
1. It is pure wisdom to trust the Lord.
Proverbs 3: 5-8
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 will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Is this a contradiction? In order to be wise we must not trust our understanding?
We need to discover the wisdom of trusting God even when the natural evidence seems to indicate that He is wrong.
Proverbs 16:20
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Proverbs 29:25
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
Is there anybody else up there?
1. A man visited the Grand Canyon and while he was looking over the side he slipped, as he fell he caught a scrub bush and held on for dear life,
2. Dialogue
Man - “Is there anybody up there?”
Voice speaks: “Yes, there is”
Man - “Can you help me? Can you help me?”
Voice - “Yes, I can most likely be of assistance. What is your problem?”
Man - I slipped and fell off of the cliff and I am dangling by this bush”
Voice - I’ll do my best. Do you believe?”
Man - “Yes, I believe!”
Voice - Do you have faith?
Man - Yes I have faith
Voice - Do you trust me?
Man - Yes I trust you!
Voice - Let go of the branch and everything will turn out fine
Man - Is there anybody else up there?
Illustration from John Maxwell on Sermon Central:
S.M. Lockridge is a black preacher in Atlanta. His sermons last for four hours. He preached this one in Detroit back in 1976 about trusting God, and I’m going to read it.
"You Can Trust Him.
He’s the one who made us. It is He who made us and not we ourselves. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. No means of measure can define His limitless love, and no farseeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. I’m telling you today you can trust Him.
"No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. He’s enduringly strong, and He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast, and He’s immortally graceful. He’s empirically, powerfully, and impartially merciful. He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. I’m trying to tell you, Church, you can trust Him.
"He does not have to call for help, and you can’t confuse Him. He doesn’t need you, and He doesn’t need me. He stands alone in the solitude of Himself. He’s august, and He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s preeminent. He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem of higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of truthology. He’s the cardinal necessity of the spiritual religion. He’s the miracle of the age; He’s the superlative of everything good that you can call Him. I’m trying to tell you can trust Him.
"He can satisfy all your needs, and He can do it simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak, and He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He’s sympathizes and He sees, He guards and He guides. He heals the sick, He cleansed the leper. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the people. He blesses the young. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. He beautifies the meek. I’m trying to tell you, Church, you can trust Him. (Audience: Amen.) He’s the key to knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the path of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway to glory. You can trust Him.
"He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the capturer of conquerors. He’s the head of heroes. He’s the leader of legislators. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the Governor of the governors. He’s the Prince of princes. He’s the King of kings. He’s the Lord of lords. You can trust him.
"His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy. His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you. He’s indescribable because He’s incomprehensible. He’s irresistible because He’s invincible. You can’t get Him off your hands. You can’t get off your mind. You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him. Pilate couldn’t stand it when he found out that he couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him, and the witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree, and Herod couldn’t kill Him. And death couldn’t handle Him, and thank God, the grave couldn’t hold Him. There was nobody before Him. There’ll be nobody after Him. He has no predecessor. He’ll have no successor. You can’t impeach Him, and He’s not going to resign. You can trust Him."
"He’s the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. The first and the last. He’s all things. He’s the giver of life. He’s the joy out of every sorrow. He’s the light of every darkness. He’s the peace that passes all understanding. He’s the giver of every good and perfect gift. You can trust Him. There’s no God before Him. There’ll be none after Him. He is the first. He is the last. He is preeminent. There is no other God."
Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. We give you praise, we give you glory. We walk out of this building today knowing, God, you are trustworthy. And God’s people said, "Amen". All right. You can trust Him. Amen
2. It is pure folly to trust in temporal things.
Proverbs 11: 28
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
Proverbs 18:10-11
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.
Proverbs 28: 25-26
25 A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
Question:
- Where do you run?
- What is your unscalable wall?
- A job? A pension? A savings account or RRSP? Your education? Your beauty?
- Have and use any of these but don’t trust in them.
Why?
- They are subject to change!
Unless you subscribe to The Atlanta Journal Constitution, you probably missed the story that was in the May 17, 1987 edition.
A rock hound named Rob Cutshaw owns a little roadside shop outside Andrews, North Carolina. Like many in the trade, he hunts for rocks, and then sells them to collectors or jewelry makers. He knows enough about rocks to decide which to pick up and sell, but he’s no expert. He leaves the appraising of his rocks to other people. As much as he enjoys the work, it doesn’t always pay the bills. He occasionally moonlights, cutting wood to help put bread on the table.
While on a dig twenty years ago, Rob found a rock he described as "purdy and big." He tried unsuccessfully to sell the specimen, and according to the Constitution, kept the rock under his bed or in his closet. He guessed the blue chunk could bring as much as $500 dollars, but he would have taken less if something urgent came up like paying his power bill. That’s how close Rob came to hawking for a few hundred dollars what turned out to be the largest, most valuable sapphire ever found. The blue rock that Rob had abandoned to the darkness of a closet two decades ago -- now known as "The Star of David" sapphire -- weighs nearly a pound, and could easily sell for $2.75 million.
You can’t take it with you; the “big purdy” rock will still be here.
Trust in the eternal.
3. Our own trustworthiness affects our ability to trust.
Proverbs 3: 27
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow"- when you now have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse a man for no reason- when he has done you no harm.
Proverbs 11: 13
13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
How trustworthy are you?
If you are a sneak and a cheat you will always be suspicious of others.
I challenge you if you find it hard to be trusting, examine your heart.
4. Trusting God increases our discernment about trusting others.
Proverbs 3: 21-26
21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;
22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;
24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
There is an old story of a father who took his young son out and stood him on the railing of the back porch. He then went down, stood on the lawn, and encouraged the little fellow to jump into his arms. "I’ll catch you," the father said confidently. After a lot of coaxing, the little boy finally made the leap. When he did, the father stepped back and let the child fall to the ground. He then picked his son up, dusted him off, and dried his tears.
"Let that be a lesson," he said sternly. "Don’t ever trust anyone."
Many of us have had our trust violated by this kind of thing.
God can heal those scars and He will. Forgiveness is your part of the equation.
How do I forgive?
- Not with your emotions.
- Your emotions are not the direction setters for your life.
- Your emotions do not determine the spiritual condition of your heart.
Your Will is the director and indicator in both instances.
- Set a date – Oct. 5 2003 – As of this day I forgive blank for blank.
- When your emotions rise up and say that your decision did not take, command them to line up with your will and the Word of God.
- Forgiving does not require you to continue placing yourself in a position to be hurt.
- Just say, “ I have forgiven you and I release you to go on with your life.” Then go on with your own life free from the anger and resentment that only cripples you and gives the one who did the wrong in the first place continued power over you.
