"A Prescription for Life" (Part 5)

So far in this little series we have looked at two of the three practical ways to experience God’s prescription for life and the resulting joy and peace. The first was trusting in God, the second, was taking delight in the Lord. Today we will look at the third of those: we must commit ourselves to Him in obedience.

“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” (Psalm 37:3-5 NLV).

Usually when people talk about being obedient to the Lord a list of “do’s and don’ts” quickly follow. There certainly are very valid commandments found in the Scripture, but God’s prescription for life is much deeper and broader than just keeping the commandments. When Jesus spoke with the rich young man who had asked what he might do to inherit eternal life, He told the young man that he needed to give away everything he had and take follow Him. It was a clear indication of the kind of commitment Jesus expects from His followers. And, I know you’re asking, “But how do I do that?” I believe it all begins in prayer, unceasing and consistent prayer. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do no be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). That’s the final part of God’s prescription for life!

Christine Burke in Major League Dad wrote the following story after her husband, Tim Burke was traded from the Montreal Expos to an AA team in Nashville. “In his worst starting inning, he allowed Chattanooga to score 4 runs. That evening Tim said, ’After tonight, there’s a strong chance I’ll be released. I could be out of baseball for good.’ ’Tim,’ I told him, ’maybe we need to turn your career over to the Lord.’ Tim responded without hesitation, ’That’s a good idea.’ On our knees by our kitchen table, Tim prayed: ’Lord, I never even thought about you caring about this stuff. If I’m holding on to baseball too much, help me to let it go. But if you want me to keep going, I’ll fight to make it. You know best.’ Then I said, ’Lord, if You’ll give Tim the strength and opportunity, he’ll give it his all. But if it’s not your will for us to stay in baseball, please show us what you have next for our lives.’ When we finished, we still had no idea what lay ahead, but we had a new sense of peace" - and Tim didn’t lose another game all season.”

That new sense of peace was the real answer to prayer, not that he won the rest of his games. Remember where we began a few days ago? Satan also has a prescription for us to use in life. His prescription leads to death, not life. A well-paid young executive dreamed he died and stood at the Pearly Gates. Peter asks him, “Do you want to go to heaven or to hell?” “Let me know my options,” he says. “Show me hell.” And up pops a giant screen with a video playing. Girls in bikinis and well-built guys are playing volleyball on the beach. Coolers are iced down with beer. Everybody is wearing brand-name clothes and driving a BMW. Then he asks for a glimpse of heaven, only to notice that the video is still running. It pans upward and shows a park filled with old people sitting on benches, feeding the birds and playing checkers – with angels in the background. “Uh, very nice,” the guy mutters, “but I think I prefer hell.” And immediately, he is plunged into molten lava! In agonizing pain, he hollers at Peter, “Hey, where’s the beach and the babes? What about the beer and the cars?” “Sorry,” Peter says, “What you saw was the demo tapes sent up by Satan.” That’s really what you call false advertising. And that seems to be the devil’s specialty in life. The only “good life” that is truly good is to be found in trusting the Lord, committing one’s life to the Lord, and delighting in Him. This morning, close with the following wisdom from Solomon:

“My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart, for they will give you a long and satisfying life. Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality.” (Proverbs 3:1-9 NLV).