WISDOM FROM GOD – “…FOR THEY SHALL ADD”

Humans, from the time we lost our place in the Garden of Eden, have been in search of peace, harmony and joy. We have tried to search for it with all our hearts, and have failed thus far. Not only have we not arrived at what we are searching for, but sadly, we have gone from bad to worse. 

Peace, harmony and joy are still elusive to man. We seek to find them in and through money, power, control, domination, conquering, pleasure, possessions and prosperity. They all appear good and very promising from a distance; yet, they turn sour, as soon as we get hold of them. This is the reality of man’s life. Our search for peace, harmony and joy is incomplete thus far, and the future looks bleaker than ever, of getting them.

Wise old people of my land suggest – “If you want to find what you lost, look for it, where you have lost it.” We lost our peace, harmony and joy in the Garden of Eden, when we disobeyed God. If we are desirous to find them, then we should look for it there. We have to hear what the LORD is saying on this matter, and not try finding them in something else. The LORD has left enough of His wisdom in His Book, to help us find what we have lost, and how He wishes to gracious restore it back to us.
– “​1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” – Proverbs 3:1-2

Proverbs 3:2 is the focus of our meditation this morning. Let us see what we can learn from it.
– FOR THEY SHALL ADD – “…length of days, and long life, and peace…”
The simple and straightforward understanding of this is – When we obey the LORD in keeping His commandments, then the LORD will enable us to bear the heavenly fruit – which are “…length of days, and long life, and peace…” 

Our disobedience resulted in our loss of all that is good, given to us graciously by our God the Creator. Obedience to His gracious call of redemption will bring back all what we have lost in the Garden. Hence the LORD says, “…let thine heart keep my commandments;” When we keep His commandments through His help, then we gain “…length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.”
– “In the biblical context, long life is often seen as a blessing from God, a sign of His favor and a reward for righteousness (Deuteronomy 5:33, Psalm 91:16)…This promise is not merely about physical longevity but also about a life filled with purpose and divine favor. The concept of long life is also connected to the idea of living in accordance with God’s commandments, as seen in the Mosaic Law, which often links obedience with blessings (Exodus 20:12).” – Berean Study Bible Notes

The LORD Jesus knows that we cannot in our own keep the commandments of the LORD. This is precisely why the LORD promised us His Holy Spirit. God the Holy Spirit will help us live a life that bears godly fruit, as we LEAN upon Him, and LEARN from Him about how to live a life of faithful obedience.
– “15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” – John 14:15-17

Have we heard about the Fruit of the Spirit? This fruit that the Holy Spirit enables us to bear, is the result of our faithful obedience to God, as the LORD helps us, and leads us through His Holy Spirit, who dwells in us.
– “13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” – Galatians 3:13-14
– “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-25

Dear brothers and sisters, let us never forget that our obedience to God enables us to bear the heavenly fruit. GODLY OBEDIENCE helps us to possess and enjoy the REAL LIFE, possible only in the LORD Jesus Christ. No one else and nothing else can even bring us close to such a life. The Word of God makes this amply clear.
– “40 Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.” – Deuteronomy 4:40
– “10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. 11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. 12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.” – Proverbs 4:10-13
– “11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” – Psalms 34:11-14
– “10 For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:10-12

The New Life that we are endowed with – the redeemed life enabled in us by God – calls us to live A GODLY LIFE of OBEDIENCE – which will SURELY and CLEARLY DISPLAYS ITS CHARACTER, for the WHOLE WORLD TO SEE. Our obedience to God shall add to us, a life of peace, harmony and joy. This fruit in our lives are seen by the whole world; and this is a clear sign of the process of our transformation – SANCTIFICATION. LORD please help me to live a life of surrendered obedience, that pleases You.