When you go on a trip, do you prefer to go the direct route or the scenic route? A lot of what you prefer depends on your situation.
As a kid growing up in Jal, NM, while my grandparents were alive, our family traveled to visit relatives in Pennsylvania every year. Dad got two weeks vacation, so, we took the direct route, leaving after dad got off work, driving all night the first night, then driving all day, and spending a night in a motel, and driving in the next day, eating in the car. But when dad got more vacation, we took the scenic route. Going up, we took the northern route (Tx, Okla, Miss, Ill, Ind, Ohio, & Pa), stopping at roadside parks to eat; then going home, the southern route (WV, Kent, Tenn, Ark, Tx, & NM).
The point is that in making a trip, one must choose one or the other. But when it comes to the life God calls us to, it is possible for us to take both the direct route and the scenic route at the same time. This is part of the emphasis in our passage for today, as Solomon describes the way of the wise - the life one can live if they will live it according to the wisdom God gives. The way of the wise is . . .
1. The way of passionate partnership with God - vs. 1-11
God’s wisdom takes us on the scenic route, for living in partnership with God is a great adventure! That’s how God intends for us to live, being excited every day to learn what new things the Lord has in store.
When C.S. Lewis was an atheist, he said this about Christians he knew: “Christians are wrong, but all the rest are bores.” At this point in his life, Lewis couldn’t accept the message of Christianity as true, but there was an attractiveness, authenticity and vitality about Christians he found lacking in others.
Now, what was true about the believers in C.S. Lewis’ life is to be true of every Christian. And it will be true of every believer who lives according to the wisdom God gives.
A. Where it begins - v. 1a “My son”
The way of the wise starts with a personal relationship with God. That’s possible because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Has there been a time in your life when you have acknowledged Christ as your one and only Savior? If so, God acknowledges you as His child. And as God’s child, you’re an heir of God.
You’re in a position where you benefit from all God has to offer, not just in the life to come, but here and now. Despite the imperfections of this world, all things can work together for your good.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” - Romans 8:28 (NLT)
But this promise is conditioned on surrendering to God’s purpose. So after telling the first step in traveling down the way of the wise, we’re told the second step - choosing to surrender to God’s plan for my life. He emphasizes this by using a BIG little word - “if”.
B. What it involves - vs. 1-4
1) The Bible - vs. 1-2
“If God has recorded his words in a Book, search its pages with a believing heart . . . if you regard it as the Book of God, I charge you, as I shall meet you at the judgement seat of Christ, study the Bible daily. Treat not the Eternal God with disrespect, but delight in His Word.” - Charles Spurgeon
How should we interact with the Bible?
A) Read and study it - v. 1b
B) Memorize it - v. 1c
C) Hear it - v. 2a
D) Apply it - v. 2
“This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.” - Anonymous
2) Prayer - vs. 3-4
A) Ask God to teach you what you need to learn - v. 3
Our need will be continual. After all, we are learning from the One who knows everything about all things. We will never exhaust His wisdom, nor will we ever completely grasp all that is possible for us to learn.
B) Ask God to show you what you already possess - v. 4
I’m an heir of God. There is much that I possess, which the Father wants to make known to me; and all I possess is due to my personal relationship with Him, it’s because of who I am - a child of God!
I once was an outcast stranger on earth, A sinner by choice, an alien by birth, But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down, An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown. I’m a child of the King, A child of the King: With Jesus my Savior, I’m a child of the King.
C. Where it leads - vs. 5-11
Living according to the wisdom God gives, leads to . . .
1) Profound Wonder - v. 5
As we grow in our understanding of God, the more we grow in awe of Him, because He alone is completely awesome!
“Think about it. The One who is the sum and definition of all that is truly good has placed his goodness on people like you and me. Now that's a reason for awe.” - Paul Tripp
2) Practical Wisdom - v. 6
God has practical wisdom for everything in life, from friendships, to marriage, to parenting, to managing money, to work, etc.
3) Powerful Walk - vs. 7-8
In secular warfare, they talk about strategic victory and tactical victory. Tactical victory refers to taking a city, a hill, or a territory. Tactical victory makes the strategic (overall) victory possible. But in spiritual warfare, it’s the opposite. It’s the strategic (overall) victory won by Christ over sin, satan, death, and hell at Calvary that makes possible our daily, tactical victories.
“You are not fighting for victory, you are fighting from victory. Victory is already yours.” - Pricilla Shirer
4) Productive Work - vs. 9-11
God will guide us in such a way that our work here on earth will take on eternal significance. Our life will indeed reflect that ours was a good path, no matter what our lot in life, because we will be living for Christ alone and guided by Christ alone.
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” - Martin Luther
2. The way of providential protection from God - vs. 12-22
A. What God will protect you from - vs. 12-19
1) Wicked men - vs. 12-15
2) Wayward women - vs. 16-19
B. What God will protect you for - vs. 20-22
1) The company of the committed in this life.
2) The company of the commended in the next life.
“What we weave in life will be worn in eternity.” - Anonymous
Conclusion: Some are so intent on taking the scenic route in life that they float from one thing to the next and often getting into trouble. Other take the direct route, fixated on whatever they are pursuing only to find out it doesn't satisfy. But God can take you the direct route and protect you from living a wasted life, while also taking you the scenic route, where you are blessed beyond measure, if you follow the way of the wise.
