The Way Of Life - by DSB

Many years ago, this question was asked: “How is it, Israel, that you are in the land of your enemies, and that you are growing old in a foreign land?”

The answer came from the one who asked it: “You are there because you have forsaken the fountain of wisdom! If you would have walked in the way of God, you would have dwelt in enduring peace.”

Notice that all-important “If.” If Israel had walked in the way of God, it would have made all the difference – they would be living in their own homes in their own land enjoying the blessings of God.

Does this mean their life would be trouble free? Of course not. Jesus himself said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). Yet in spite of tribulation, notice what Paul said, “In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Troubles? Yes! Conquered? No! In other words, if Israel had continued to walk in the way of God, they would still have troubles to contend with, but they would not have been conquered and forced by their conquerors to live in a foreign land.

But lets return to our question and answer, for the speaker continues on and gives some vital advice so that we do not end up like Israel. “Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding; that you may know also where is length of days, and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace” (Baruch 3:10-14).

In other words, either by asking enough questions or listening to the right teachers or reading the right books or observing the right people, learn where the most helpful wisdom, the greatest strength, and the best understanding come from. For if you do this, you will come to know where true health comes from, and what is required to experience God’s abundant life, and how to deal with the many challenges of life in ways that honor God and preserve your well-being, and how to have God’s inward peace regardless of the outward circumstances. Therefore, as you come to know these things, if you live accordingly, it will make all the difference! Will you still have troubles? Yes. But you will never be conquered.

Where Does Wisdom Come From?
Consider that knowledge is the accumulation of information. Understanding is making sense of that information. Wisdom is knowing how to use that information for your own good and the good of others.

The devil and those in the world who adhere to his ways would have us believe that wisdom comes from those who are successful in the world – such as the rich, the famous, the powerful, the influential, the philosophers and poets, the leaders, the brave, the authors of bestseller books, those who have raised themselves from nobodies to somebodies, and those who have overcome tremendous obstacles to succeed at something.

David tells us that becoming wise begins with a proper fear of the Lord – a fear that motivates us to obey God, because those who obey His commandments gain a good understanding of what matters most in life and how to live a sensible, contented, joy-filled, praise-worthy life (Psalm 111:10).

In Psalm 34:11-17, David explains why obeying God is wise. He begins by inviting us to listen to him – not just to hear his words, but to learn and live according to the message of his words. He continues by saying that if we are grateful for life, and if we desire to live a long life so that we can enjoy many of the blessings God pours out on His people, then obey God. In other words, live up to what you know is right and good. For example, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it. And why does this work? Because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry for help. However, the face of the Lord is set against those who do what is evil, to erase all memory of them from the earth.

In other words, becoming wise begins with a fear of God – a fear that motivates obedience to God. Then as you obey God, your obedience produces a growth in the wisdom needed to live wisely which makes all the difference.

In addition, James tells us that wisdom comes from God, and He will give us more wisdom than we have in any particular area or situation if we will ask for wisdom (James 1:5-8). Though this requires several things of us, the first two requirements are (1) knowing where you lack wisdom, (2) and asking God to give you the wisdom you lack. Therefore, when you combine the wisdom gained from obeying God with the wisdom gained from asking God for wisdom in specific areas, the result is a wisdom that enables you to know how to live a life pleasing to God which leads to having God’s abundant life now and eternal life hereafter.

Where Does Strength Come From?
The devil and those who adhere to his ways would have us believe that strength comes from such things as being physically strong or well-trained in using the strength you have. They would have us believe strength comes from having good self-esteem and being well educated, from being self-assured, socially outgoing and assertive, from having a good grasp and use of logic, reason, and vocabulary, and from carrying a gun. They would have us believe that strength comes from being driven to succeed, being mentally tough, and being stubbornly persistent. And they would have us believe that strength comes from military might, fearless courage, positions of power, and wealth.

Now there is no question but that all these things represent forms of strength, and when put to use they often produce results. But none of them can guarantee the results you desire. And why not? Because over and above all these sources of strength is God, who is omnipotent (all powerful) and sovereign (the supreme ruler).

The Bible story of David taking on Goliath is a classic example of this truth. From the human perspective, Goliath’s physical strength and weapons advantage was so superior that he should have been able to defeat David with one hand tied behind his back. But he lost! Why? David’s explanation to Goliath about who would win clearly explains why Goliath lost. We read in 1 Samuel 17:45-47, “Then David said to [Goliath], ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands.’”

The outcome of the fight between David and Goliath was just as David predicted because Goliath was not just fighting David, he was also fighting the omnipotent, sovereign God of the universe, and no one can defeat Him. Therefore, true, dependable strength comes from God, and He gives it to whomever He wills and uses it however He pleases. But He especially gives it to and uses it on behalf of those who live according to His will.

The Psalmist declares this truth in Psalm 33:16-20, “The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.

So once again, true, dependable strength comes from God. Therefore, do not trust the devil’s lies or the world’s beliefs about the sources of strength. Look to God, trust in God, obey Him, live according to His word, and dwell in the shadow of His wings, then you will have true, dependable strength for every need and in every situation.

Where Does Understanding Come From?
As has already been said, knowledge is the accumulation of information. Understanding is making sense of that information. Wisdom is knowing how to use that information for your own good and the good of others.

For example, knowledge knows that tomatoes are fruit. Understanding knows why tomatoes are fruit instead of a vegetable. Wisdom is not putting tomatoes in fruit salad.

Solomon said, “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel” (Proverbs 1:5). In other words, a wise person keeps learning (gathering knowledge), and as he makes sense of what he is learning (gains understanding of his knowledge), he seeks wise counsel in order to know how best to use what he knows.

Here is another example. Most of us, if shown, know how to do math story problems as long as they follow the example we were shown. In other words, we have “math story problem” knowledge. But alter the format of the story problem and we cannot solve it. Why? Because we lack understanding of the principles involved in solving the particular story problem we were shown. However, those who understand the principles involved and have the wisdom to apply those principles are able to solve most any math story problem no matter how complex.

The devil and those who adhere to his ways would have us believe that understanding comes from such things as common sense, science, philosophy, psychology, think tanks, a proper education, tolerance for various beliefs, religions, and life-styles, rejection of Christian moral values and creation beliefs, and from those who specialize in a particular area of knowledge.

Now there is no question that these things are all forms of knowledge, and many of them helpful forms. But without an anchor to God and His truth, they can and most often do lead us astray from the knowledge that builds quality character, godly values, moral principles, healthy relationships, true love, enduring marriages, along with homes and communities that remain faithful to a life-style that is in the best interests of everyone. And even worse, unanchored knowledge most often leads to loss, destruction, and death – be it the death of a nation, a community, a home, a marriage, or an individual.

Solomon explained this truth in Proverbs 3:1-18, “My son, do not forget my teaching (impartation of knowledge), but let your heart keep [God’s] commandments (the beginning of wisdom); for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you (live according to what you know is right and good); bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart (because He has the truth and wisdom) and do not lean on your own understanding (because it is unanchored from God and His truth). In all your ways acknowledge God (recognize He is truth and you have an obligation to obey Him), and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes (don’t think you are wiser than God or the godly); fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit (the profit from wisdom and understanding) is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire (that comes from the world) compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.

The understanding that the devil and the world promote can bring you pleasure, fame, power, riches, and many other desirable things, but it also brings irretrievable loss, painful suffering, and unending death. Therefore, intentionally, zealously, persistently seek knowledge, but keep all the knowledge gained anchored to God and His truth, for that is the only way knowledge can bring life, health, joy, and peace to you and those around you.

Does this mean your life will be trouble free? Of course not. You will still have troubles to contend with, but you will never be conquered by such destructive things as fear, anxiety, despair, depression, pride, arrogance, selfishness, greed, envy, jealously, sexual immorality, drug or alcohol addition, anger, or any other evil that removes enduring joy and settled peace out of your life.

Where is length of days, where is the abundant life Jesus speaks of, where is the light of the eyes, where is inner peace? It is in God and the way of God, which means it is in obeying Him and in living according to His will.