10 New Year Resolutions From Solomon
Thursday marks the beginning of the New Year. Most all of us hope that the year to come will be better than the year which is now ending.
As you know God blessed David’s son, King Solomon with more wisdom than any other man. People would travel great distances just to sit at his feet as he taught the wise principles that God blessed his with.
Today we’ll be reading from the book of Proverbs – Chapter 3. And the title of this sermon is: 10 New Year’s Resolutions From The Wisest Man That Ever Lived. I believe if you will consider Solomon’s wise words and apply them to your life you will experience more peace in your life this year than maybe you have ever had before.
Solomon starts off this 3rd chapter with a very matter of fact statement. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”Throughout the rest of this chapter Solomon will give some very specific precepts or principles that we should live by in order to have this long life, prosperity and I believe peace. Now some of these are rather simple, in fact all of them are simple to talk about, but when it comes to putting them into practice that’s when it becomes more difficult. I sincerely think that if each of us learn to adopt these principles and live them out in this up and coming year, we will experience some positive changes in our life. (Half of these principles include a blessing or fruit if you do them.)
So let’s look at verses 3 and 4 for our first principle.. “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
So our 1st New Year Resolution could be, To make sure that LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS NEVER LEAVE US. I believe that Solomon saw these two qualities (love and faithfulness) as foundational and guiding lights in our lives – in everything we do. (We need to be faithful and keep loving even when those around us don’t seem like they deserve it) I believe it has more of a negative effect on us if we withhold love and get angry and don’t forgive.
We know what love is; it’s not only an emotion, love is active and seeks the highest good of others. In Cor 1:13 Paul said that love is being patience and kindness to others. It doesn’t envy what others have, it’s not about being boastful or proud. It’s not rude or self seeking, or easily angered, nor does it keep a record of wrongs done to you. He said that love does not delight in doing evil but rejoices with truthfulness. It always protects, it always trusts it always hopes, and it always perseveres.
Can you learn to love like this in the up and coming year? I hope so!
Faithfulness: Is about being true; maintaining an allegiance; being loyal and , showing a strong sense of duty or responsibility; when you are conscientious, consistent and reliable in all that you do. So Solomon said if we love and remain faithful we will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man!
The next resolution is found in Vss 5-6 “ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” [That is HeHhh will direct your paths.]
Do you know what it means to trust someone? I think you do: a) Trust is a firm belief in, or confidence another. b) It’s entail a confident expectation, anticipation, or hope in that person or what they are going to do.
Solomon said, ‘Trust in the LORD “with all (not just part) all your heart”
I believe that this is something that needs to be practiced. The more put you trust in God (especially in difficult times) the more you will trust Him on all occasions.
Solomon also said, Acknowledge Him. And what does the word Acknowledge mean: It means you recognize and confess to the authority of, you give credit and thanks to the one who deserves the credit for doing something, saying something, working things out in your live or blessing you in some way. Solomon said In all your ways acknowledge our Lord and He will help make your path straight.
Resolution #3 is. V 7-8 ”Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
In laymen lingo, don’t act or think of yourself as a know it all because we all have a lot to learn. This world is evil and there are many traps set for us. That’s why we need to trust in the Lord, trust in His way and not lean on our limited, even small understanding of things.
Peter told us this in 2 Peter 1:3-4 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
If we study and learn God’s way and will and do our best to avoid evil, Solomon said that ‘this will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones’
Resolution #4. V 9-10 “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
I believe this is God’s Law of the harvest. We see this principal throughout scripture. God blesses those who are generous. In 2 Cor. 9:6-8 & 10-11 Paul writes, “Remember this; Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly, nor under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need you will abound in every good work…. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
What Solomon said here in this 4th resolution is that if you learn to Honor God with your wealth (even with the first fruits or best of what you have) Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. In other words, don’t be stingy this year, use your wealth to bless and honor God and others, and God will in turn bless you so that you may even have more to give.
Resolution #5. V 11-12 “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.”
Sometime things happen for a reason. Sometimes they happen to catch our attention and get us back on the right path. If something does happen that seems like discipline, think about it. Repent and change your ways if you need to. God loves you and simply wants to set you back on the right track.
Resolution #6. SEARCH DILIGENTLY FOR WISDOM Vs 13-24 “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare 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 embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
WHAT IS WISDOM? There are 2 sides to WISDOM: INFORMATION And then KNOW-HOW .
- Vss 13-20 talks about those characteristics of wisdom which deal with knowledge, learning, information, intelligence, data, facts, intellect, and experience.
- Vss 21-24 talks about those characteristics of wisdom which deal with perception, discernment, judgment, reason, insight, prudence, discretion, and just plain ol’ common sense.
Solomon not only encourages us to keep learning great truths, he also encourages us to wear them like an ornament around our neck, applying them in every situation we find our self in.
I believe to many today waste to much time doing things that make them dumber rather than smarter. Many watch too much junk on TV when they could be watching something educational, or pick up a good book and read something interesting or new. I would like to challenge you to Learn something new this year!
Resolution 7. FEAR NOT V 25-26 “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”
It’s important not to act wickedly because disaster may overcome you. And then remember we need to trust in the Lord (NOT FEAR HIM) and lean no on our own understanding, and believe that He is going to work things our for the benefit of all those who believe in Him.
Resolution #8. Vss 27-28 “ Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow” — when you now have it with you.”Remember the first things he said, not to let love and faithfulness depart from us and your will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and your fellow man.”
Withholding from those who deserve something is not love, it is selfishness and injustice. Resolution # 9 and 10 are similar and are without love. He said in …
Resolution #9. Vss 29-30 “ Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse a man for no reason — when he has done you no harm.” That goes against the principal of Love He desires for us.
Resolution 10. Vss 31 – 32 “Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.”
Such a life not only displeases the Lord, it ruins your life, robs you of joy and peace, and will spoil your year
Verses 33-35 ARE SIMPLY STATEMENTS OF ADDITIONAL PROMISES IF WE KEEP THE ABOVE COMMANDS. “ The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.”
Challenge: Let us resolve today to pay close attention and adherence to these principles and see what God will do in your lives.
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