A Life of Meaning
Living a life of impact.
Proverbs 16-20
Proverbs 3:3, “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.”
The greatest tragedy is not when we fail in life, but when we attain success in that which has no lasting value. The book of Proverbs is written to instruct us in how to be successful in life. Throughout the book, the short proverbial statements remind us that we can fail in life simply because we have the wrong foundation. Such is the tragedy we see repeated over and over again. People pursue all the things that the world proclaims to be important: wealth, career success, recognition by others, etc., but in the end, they discover that it all becomes meaningless when they stand on the threshold of eternity. In the end, everything temporal is pointless, and the only thing that impacts people for eternity is meaningful. As we shall see when we get to the book of Ecclesiastes, everything that this world pursues is of no value.
How then do we live a life of meaning and success? How do we live a life of impact? It starts with a surrender to the will of God. In Proverbs 16:3, we find the key: “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” This is more than just asking God to bless what we do; it is an act of surrender to God so that he determines the plans we make. The word “commit” comes from a Hebrew word that means to roll an object, such as a stone. When we face trials, we often commit them to God; that is, we roll the burden upon God and trust him for deliverance. However, here the sage commends us to “roll” our works and plans upon God for him to carry and determine. Instead of following our plans, we seek to allow God to determine them. Only God can see beyond the temporal and see the eternal. Only God can see the outcome of all that we do. Therefore, the first step for successful living is to give our plans to him so that he determines what we are to do. In Proverbs 16:9, we find the key: “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Even though we make our plans, we are to do so with an attitude of surrender. This starts by trusting in his world and living by the commands he has established in his word. To forsake the law of God is to ensure failure in life. If we rely upon our own wisdom, we are doomed to failure. Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Instead of trusting in ourselves and our own wisdom, we are to trust in God and his wisdom. Proverbs 16:20, “He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”
Success in life comes from our character rather than our accomplishments; it comes from who we influence for eternity rather than who we impress and give us praise. Proverbs 19:16, “He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die.” When we live our life governed by God’s law, we have the foundation for live itself, for in his word we discover the counsel of God and the direction he desires for our lives. “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand” (19:21). A life well lived is determined by a life lived in obedience to God’s law. What are your values? What are your goals for life? Are they temporal or eternal?
Proverbs 16-20
Proverbs 3:3, “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.”
The greatest tragedy is not when we fail in life, but when we attain success in that which has no lasting value. The book of Proverbs is written to instruct us in how to be successful in life. Throughout the book, the short proverbial statements remind us that we can fail in life simply because we have the wrong foundation. Such is the tragedy we see repeated over and over again. People pursue all the things that the world proclaims to be important: wealth, career success, recognition by others, etc., but in the end, they discover that it all becomes meaningless when they stand on the threshold of eternity. In the end, everything temporal is pointless, and the only thing that impacts people for eternity is meaningful. As we shall see when we get to the book of Ecclesiastes, everything that this world pursues is of no value.
How then do we live a life of meaning and success? How do we live a life of impact? It starts with a surrender to the will of God. In Proverbs 16:3, we find the key: “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” This is more than just asking God to bless what we do; it is an act of surrender to God so that he determines the plans we make. The word “commit” comes from a Hebrew word that means to roll an object, such as a stone. When we face trials, we often commit them to God; that is, we roll the burden upon God and trust him for deliverance. However, here the sage commends us to “roll” our works and plans upon God for him to carry and determine. Instead of following our plans, we seek to allow God to determine them. Only God can see beyond the temporal and see the eternal. Only God can see the outcome of all that we do. Therefore, the first step for successful living is to give our plans to him so that he determines what we are to do. In Proverbs 16:9, we find the key: “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Even though we make our plans, we are to do so with an attitude of surrender. This starts by trusting in his world and living by the commands he has established in his word. To forsake the law of God is to ensure failure in life. If we rely upon our own wisdom, we are doomed to failure. Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Instead of trusting in ourselves and our own wisdom, we are to trust in God and his wisdom. Proverbs 16:20, “He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”
Success in life comes from our character rather than our accomplishments; it comes from who we influence for eternity rather than who we impress and give us praise. Proverbs 19:16, “He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die.” When we live our life governed by God’s law, we have the foundation for live itself, for in his word we discover the counsel of God and the direction he desires for our lives. “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand” (19:21). A life well lived is determined by a life lived in obedience to God’s law. What are your values? What are your goals for life? Are they temporal or eternal?
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2025
January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
March
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April
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May
Fear and FaithVictory and DefeatThe Justice and Mercy of GodThe Long Term Consequences of Incomplete ObedienceThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyMan's Fickleness and God's FaithfulnessGod's Power on DisplayUnlikely HeroesThe Danger of Self-delusionThe Grace and Holiness of godThe Danger of Cultural AccommodationThe Failure of Disobedience20/20 Spiritual VisionWhenn Life Does Not Go as PlannedFaith, Fear, and Divine ProtectionGod's Sovereignty and Humanh FrailtyA Lesson in God's Holiness and Grace
June
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July
the Lessons of the GenealogiesThe Restoration of HopeGod's Wisdom in Turbulent TimesSeeking God's Plans, Not OursDiscovering Meaning, Significance, and Fulfillment in LifeContemplating LifeA Temple Worthy of GodThe God Who SpeaksThe Tale of Two NationsSelf-Dependent or God DependentListening to the Proper Counsel
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