Proverbs 3:1

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commandments. For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. (Proverbs 3:1)

Ten resolutions from the wisest man who ever lived—wisdom for a long life and a satisfied heart.

A New Year of Resolutions

For some people the transition into a new year is not a big deal; it's just a date moving from 2016 to 2017. But research tells us nearly two-thirds of Americans count this as an important transition. Over 62% take time at the end of the year to resolve to make changes. So six of ten of us in this room have likely spent the last week or two reflecting on 2016 and looking ahead to 2017, desiring some alterations.

It was a couple days before the new year, and a wife walked into the bathroom to find her husband standing on the scale, sucking in his stomach. Shaking her head she said, "You do realize that's not going to help." "Sure it will," he said. "I can't see the numbers if I don't do that."

At the top of the list of resolutions almost every year is to get healthy and lose weight—numbers one and two. The rest of the top ten: enjoy life to the fullest, spend less and save more, spend more time with family and friends, get organized, make no resolutions, learn something new, travel more, and read more. But here's the catch: only 8% of those who make resolutions make good on them. I hope every one of us who makes a resolution this year will be among the 8%.

The Wise Man's Resolutions

As I thought about resolving to change, I came to Proverbs chapter three and found what I believe are ten resolutions from the wise man Solomon. The book of Proverbs is called the wisdom of Solomon, and he is considered by some the wisest man who ever lived. The king of Israel some 3,000 years ago, he wrote Ecclesiastes, the Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and a number of the Psalms.

I highly recommend you read through Proverbs chapters one through 31. It's interesting that there are 31 chapters—about the number of days in a month—so you could read through this wisdom literature twelve times in a year. Probably one of the greatest things you could do to change your life in 2017 is to spend time reading God's Word. To help, I'd point you to the listening plan—go to thelisteningplan.com and subscribe to a daily weekday email that will walk you through the New Testament, a chapter a day. God's Word makes us wise, transforms our minds, and cleanses us.

Notice Solomon's opening promise in verse one. The New Living Translation says, "If you do this, you will live many years and your life will be satisfying." Everyone wants a long, satisfying life. People are seeking satisfaction and missing out—songwriters have even told us, "I can't get no satisfaction." But Solomon says: take heed to my words, and the result will be many years and a satisfying life.

Be Merciful and Faithful

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3–4)

We live in a culture, especially the generation that has never lived without smartphones and social media, where esteem and value are based almost entirely on what others think. People post pictures and thoughts, and their mood rises and falls with how many people like or comment. But that never brings greater value. The greatest value comes from God.

The English Standard Version says, "Let not steadfast love and faithfulness leave you." The word translated mercy is the Hebrew chesed, the steadfast love of God—one of the attributes core to who He is. When God introduces Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6, the very first thing He says is, "The Lord, the Lord, God merciful." Jesus taught, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

It's interesting—every one of us wants mercy for ourselves but tends to want justice for others. When someone runs a red light in front of us, we wish there were a police officer there. But when we catch a glimpse of black and white in our rearview mirror, our heart skips a beat and we cry, "Lord, please." We want mercy for us. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

Trust God Completely

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

Many believers have told me they have a hard time memorizing Scripture, yet most know this verse. It's easier to memorize than to apply. I'm one of those highly analytical people who wants to look at a problem from 900 angles, deconstruct it, and fix it. Many times I come to difficulties unfixable in my own strength, but it's hard to relinquish my own understanding. Solomon says: trust the Lord with all your heart, don't rely on your own understanding, and in every step acknowledge Him—and He will direct your steps.

Every one of us will go through anxiety-producing things this year. But Jesus taught that who by worrying can add one cubit to his stature, or one day to his life? The Scriptures say, "Do not fret, it only causes harm." Worry is simply meditating on your problems—going over and over them in your mind. We believe in a living God who knows the number of the hairs on your head. If He knows that, He knows what you're facing and has the power to direct your steps.

Isaiah wrote, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon You, because he trusts in You." The phrase "perfect peace" is shalom, shalom—peace multiplied, peace to the second power. And the next verse gives the application: "Trust in the Lord forever, for in Him is everlasting strength." Set and fix your heart and mind upon the Lord.

Be Humble

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones. (Proverbs 3:7–8)

Our culture says be assertive, stand your ground, have strong self-esteem and pride. But in the kingdom of God, Solomon says, don't be wise in your own eyes—be humble. Jesus taught the same in Luke 14: when invited to a meal, sit at the lowest place, so the host will say, "Friend, go up higher." "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Follow the pattern of Jesus. Philippians 2 says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God... made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant. He humbled Himself." Therefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name. God's economy is different than ours. Resolve in 2017 to be humble.

Be Giving

Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9–10)

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the best part of everything you have. This is hard, because our hearts are connected to our treasure—where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jesus said don't worry about what you'll wear, eat, or where you'll sleep; your Father knows your needs. Seek first His kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.

I am not preaching a prosperity gospel that says God exists to give you everything you want. But Jesus did say in Luke 6:38, "Give, and it will be given to you—good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over." God gives to an open hand. My wife and I have always given at least 10% of everything that comes in to the Lord, and even in tight times, sometimes miraculously, God has taken care of our needs.

If you say, "I don't know if I can do this," we want to help you. On the 14th we'll have a faith and finances class—three hours on a Saturday morning where I'll teach the theology of treasure along with practical counsel. Register free at the church's website. Resolve to be giving in 2017.

Be Teachable

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11–12)

This year we'll have classes on marriage, parenting, and other discipleship topics—great areas to be teachable. But that's not the only place. Solomon speaks of a father correcting his children. If you follow Jesus, God is your Father, and He disciplines His children.

There are two ways to respond to discipline. You can harden your heart, turn away, and rebel—and it will produce no fruit. Or you can turn into the discipline, recognizing that whom the Lord loves, He chastens. The author of Hebrews quotes this verse and says the one who is exercised by God's correction reaps "the peaceable fruits of righteousness." Discipline is connected to discipleship; God wants to grow us into maturity, not leave us infantile, two-year-old Christians. Resolve this year to be teachable.

Be a Seeker of Wisdom

Happy is the man who finds wisdom... For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her... Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her... When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:13–24)

More than any other book in the Bible, Proverbs speaks of wisdom—the word is used almost 50 times in these 31 chapters. Wisdom is personified as a "her," to be pursued. Most people we interact with are seeking riches, but Solomon says wisdom is better than silver and fine gold.

Our hearts are like little desire factories, constantly producing wants—I want that, I want that. A little child shows it openly, and we say how immature, but we are the same; we just mask it better. Solomon says everything man could desire pales in comparison to wisdom. In her right hand is length of days, in her left riches and honor. I don't know about you, but as a father of four young kids, I like the promise that your sleep will be sweet.

To be a seeker of wisdom is to be a seeker of God, for He is the source of it. If you want to begin fulfilling this resolution, read a Proverb a day—chapter one on January 1st, chapter two on January 2nd—and see if God's wisdom through Solomon doesn't change how you see the world and interact with your spouse, children, coworkers, and friends.

Be Confident in the Lord

Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. (Proverbs 3:25–26)

Isn't sudden terror exactly what we've feared for 16 years since 9/11? It was all over the news as people prepared to celebrate New Year's Eve—there was even an attack last night in Istanbul. Solomon says trouble will come, but don't be afraid, for the Lord will be your confidence.

The psalmist wrote, "Some trust in horses, some in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our Lord." Today people trust in nuclear weapons, in the strength of their government, in their 401k, their intelligence, their career, their fleeting looks. Every one of those things will leave you when the hard time comes. But the Lord is our strength, our ever-present help, our sure foundation, fortress, rock, and refuge. The only way to truly be confident in Him is to spend time getting to know Him as He has revealed Himself through His Word.

Be Generous and Good, a Good Neighbor, and Just

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. (Proverbs 3:27–28)

Resolution number eight: be generous and good. Don't hold back good when you have the ability to give.

Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he dwells by you for safety's sake. Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. (Proverbs 3:29–30)

Resolution number nine: be a good neighbor. A lawyer asked Jesus the greatest command, and Jesus said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself. Seeking to justify himself, the lawyer asked, "Who is my neighbor?"—looking for a loophole. Through the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus revealed that the neighbor is the one who shows mercy, goodness, and kindness.

Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways... The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just... The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools. (Proverbs 3:31–35)

Resolution number ten: be just—be righteous in the way you deal with people. The prophet Micah said, "He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." We often want to swap that to "love justice," but He says do what is right, be merciful, and walk in humility.

Conclusion and Communion

Getting fit, losing weight, getting on a budget, spending time with family, and reading more all have value. But Solomon said, "My son, do not forget my law; let your heart keep my commandments... you will live many years and your life will be satisfying." These wise man's resolutions are at least one step in that direction.

So may God help us in this new year to be merciful and faithful, to trust God completely even through things that try our hearts, to be humble, giving, teachable, seekers of wisdom, confident in the Lord, generous and good, good neighbors, and just.

Now we'll do what we do every new year and partake of communion—the bread that symbolizes the body of Jesus broken for us, and the cup that symbolizes His blood shed for us. This year we'll study the book of Hebrews, where we'll see that the old system of sacrifice in the first covenant was never enough to deal with our sin. But Jesus established a new covenant, and His death on the cross is enough to deal with all sin of all people at all times. When we partake, we remember that He has paid it all. It is finished.

The Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

Closing Prayer

Father, help us to apply and do the things we see in Your Word—not just here in Proverbs three, but in other places—that we would make these things a part of our lives every day. By Your Word transform us, sanctify us, cleanse us, make us more like You, Jesus. Pour out Your Spirit upon Your church and produce in our lives love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and patience as a witness of Your glory and grace.

As we dedicate this new year to You and remember that our forgiveness and grace come because Your body was broken and Your blood shed for us, help us keep that in our hearts and minds, not just now as we partake, but as we go from this place.

Lord, we proclaim Your death until You come, knowing You are not still dead but alive, seated at the right hand of glory, and that You will one day come again. Because You have yet to return, there is still work for us to do in 2017. By Your grace You have gifted and called every one of us, unworthy as we are. We are Your workmanship, created for good works You prepared for us. Help us fulfill every one of them as we follow You.

It is certain that Your people will go through difficult, anxiety-producing things this year, with highs and lows, joys and sorrows. But in every one of them, reign over our lives, and let us see Your hand even in our trials. We are not sufficient of ourselves, but You have given us the strength we need. Build up Your church here at Cross Connection this year, and use us to be lights in a dark world, that people would see our good works and glorify You, our Father in heaven. Use us to extend Your grace to others. We pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen.