"A Prescription for Life" (Part 3)

“Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be happy.” (Proverbs 16:20-20).

Today we see the first principle necessary to experience the victory God desires for us is to trust in the Lord. Just ten years ago the following people were listed as some of the wealthiest people in the world. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey and rapper Puff Daddy were among the “40 Highest-Paid Entertainers” named by Forbes that year. Winfrey, whose top-rated talk show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," celebrated its 13th season in 2001 with a renewed mission, ranked 4th on the list by earning an estimated $125 million income. Winfrey, who also topped the list in 1996, ranked 3rd in 2000 with an income of $150 million. Sean "Puffy" Combs, who goes by the stage name Puff Daddy, earned an estimated $53.5 million, which placed him 15th on Forbes’ list. Famed female group the Spice Girls, who included Black member Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown, came in at 20 on the list with estimated earnings of $49 million. Comedian-actor Eddie Murphy was listed 22nd, earning $47.5 million, while rapper-comedian-actor Will Smith, who earned $34 million, ranked 36 on the list. Also, actress Julia Roberts made $50 million that year. Tom Hanks made only $71.5 million. Michael Jordan raked in $40 million and he didn’t even do anything! Filmmaker George Lucas topped them all
by making $400 million! It would be interesting to compare them now, a decade later. I’m sure you will easily recognize the absence of some of them from the list!

I don’t want to dwell too long on that comparison however. We can say it is often very easy for us to imagine what it might be like to be that wealthy. It is altogether too easy to become enamored with the rich and the famous and want to be like them! But, to trust in them, or even to trust in that kind of wealth is a serious mistake. It is one of the devil’s favorite lies! Our trust should not be in money nor in money people, but in the Lord! Our reading declares a warning that we not put our trust in people, no matter what their accomplishments. The psalmist declares, “Put your trust in the Lord.” People come and go but not the Lord! He is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting! He has no beginning and no end. Put your trust in Him. The key is how? Let me make some practical suggestions:

1. First, believe that God desires only the best for you. This may not mean wealth, prominence, or popularity. It may mean a life of sacrifice and difficulty as exemplified in the life of Mother Theresa, who gave her life to work with the sick and poor of India. That was the best place for her. It was the place God had for her that would mean her highest level of joy and peace.

2. Second, recognize that God has an eternal plan for you. When we are in the midst of difficulty, it is so easy to focus on the immediate. God is working in our lives for our eternal good and the eternal good of others. What may seem to be very bad now may only be the first step toward accomplishing a great good in our lives or the lives of others.

3. Third, rest in God today. Satan wants us to believe that God is uncaring and untrustworthy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Be still today and rest in Him. You will prosper!