Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success.
Proverbs 3:6
The Prerequisite
Today, if you are living in the UK you may feel a lot brighter. Yesterday we were given the green light on what we can do from the beginning of next month. If you are over 70 you have a little longer to wait, but you soon will be able to enjoy life a little more.
It was stressed though that all the rules had to be complied with or there is the possibility restrictions could come back. It may be a very small word but it is most significant, if we all, not just one or two. There is an obligation for the whole of the UK citizens to comply. The guidance is for all. Our verse this morning fits in with this powerful word all.
Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success.
To receive God’s guidance, said Solomon, we must acknowledge God in all our ways. “Acknowledge” is to honour and obey, acknowledging not merely His existence, personality and power but His sovereign right to direct your way of life and living. This means turning every area of life over to him. You yield your way to be subject to Him in thought, word, deed and aim of life.
How do I know this? Listen to what Jesus has to say and notice the word all. Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well. Jesus gives us his formula for success.
Acknowledge God in all areas. This is what our government want us to do – acknowledge (honour and obey) the guidelines regarding lockdown to bring us back once again to having a normal life, but God wants to give us an incredible life. In fact, Jesus said, “that you might have life in all its fullness”.
The question for today most of us have not experienced anywhere near fullness, perhaps barren or half empty, but God assures us things can be different, not depending on our circumstances but on the one who can give life.
Today let us make again a commitment to make God a vital part of everything we do; then He will guide you because will be working to accomplish His purposes, not just Sundays, but all 365 days of the year, not just when in public view but in the secret and hidden ways of the life, mind and heart, in the light and in the dark, in the shop as well as in the sanctuary, in the valley as well as on the mountain top, at play as well as at work in all thy ways.
The Promise
He shall direct thy paths. The word for “direct” in Hebrew means “to make smooth, straight, right.” The Lord will thoroughly direct, protect and give us guidance 24/7. I believe the government have stopped giving daily updates. God is not like that. Constant updates are always given and available.
May I say at this point it may not always be an easy or pleasant path, but I can assure you always is the right path. It may not be the path you would personally choose, but it will always be the path which leads to eternal success.
You will encounter mist and mystery, battle and bruising, but you will ultimately have to success. Why? Because God says so. Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success.
Let me leave you with an old hymn that sums up not only our life but the one who wants to guide us. It has been recorded by many artists and I would ask you to take time to read the words or listen to this hymn on YouTube.
Life is like a mountain railroad, With an engineer that’s brave; We must make the run successful, From the cradle to the grave; Watch the curves, the fills, the tunnels; Never falter, never quail; Keep your hand upon the throttle, And your eye upon the rail.
Blessed Saviour, Thou wilt guide us, Till we reach the blissful shore,
Where the angels wait to join us In Thy praise forevermore.
You will roll up grades of trial; You will cross the bridge of strife; See that Christ is your conductor On this lightning train of life; Always mindful of obstruction, Do your duty, never fail; Keep your hand upon the throttle,
And your eye upon the rail.
You will often find obstructions, Look for storms and wind and rain; On a fill, or curve, or trestle They will almost ditch your train; Put your trust alone in Jesus, Never falter, never fail; Keep your hand upon the throttle,
And your eye upon the rail.
As you roll across the trestle, Spanning Jordan’s swelling tide,
You behold the Union Depot Into which your train will glide; There you’ll meet the Superintendent, God the Father, God the Son, With the hearty, joyous plaudit, “Weary pilgrim, welcome home.”
Keep Safe