OUTLINE:
An obedient person is a blessed person.
Ps 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
To fear the Lord is tantamount to fearing His Word.
Ecc 12:13
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments [aka His Word!], for this is the whole duty of man.
Finding Peace In Lieu of Futility
Solomon’s experiments (like our own) were nothing more than him testing God at His word. Whenever we lack an appropriate fear of God (e.g. His Word), we seek alternatives. Instead, we ought to find peace in simply trusting Him at His word (e.g. Pr 3:5-6).
Man ought NEVER, EVER suppose he can tell God about God’s business.
Perspective
If God were to cede to man any of His right to choose just as He wills, then His sovereignty would no longer be absolute (Isa 40:9-31; Job 38-42).
Jas 1:21
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness [aka “humility”] the implanted [“engrafted”] word, which is able to save your souls.
YOU are NOT the hand – you are the INSTRUMENT God uses to His glory.
Jn 6:44
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
YOU are NOT the hand – you are the INSTRUMENT God uses to His glory.
Jn 10:28-29
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
1Jn 2:19
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us . But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
Being Born Again
According to Jesus, being born again is a supernatural act of God the Holy Spirit as part of God’s salvific plan. No one will ever see or enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born again. (Jn 3:1-15)