This morning I am reading in Proverbs 19 and have found some of the features of a “good life” as noted in the commentary of my ESV Bible. 1) listen to instruction 2) be kind to the poor 3) be involved in your children’s lives and discipline them 4) avoid friendships with those who lack self-control 5) acknowledge the rule of God 6) understand that love and integrity are what bring real happiness 7) fear the LORD. Where as these are not an exhaustive list, they are some of the essential elements of what it takes to lead a “good life”.
“23The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.” – Proverbs 19:23 (ESV)
As I review this list, I can only look back at my life so far to see how I stand up to it and have I been actively engaged in living the “good life”. Whereas I still have a long way to go and do not feel as though I have fully glorified God to my potential, I am at least headed down the right path. Each of the features listed above have influenced my life. I have done well in some and have areas to continue growing in others, as most of us do. My take is to do just that, continue growing each day and know that fear of the LORD is essential to that growth.
I have to be careful in my expectations and not equate a “perfect life” with a “good life”. It is easy for one to think that just because we are living according to the list of features will have no difficulty at all, and verse 23 I have quoted even states it as so. But, that is not the case. We are still subject to difficulty in the world. As stated in the commentary of my NIV Bible;
“evil things still happen to people who love God. This verse is not a universal promise, but a general guideline. It describes what would happen if this world were sinless, and what will happen in the new earth, when faithful believers will be under God’s protection forever”.
The “good life” begins with fear of the LORD. Our respect and adoration of Him draw us to Him and the protection He provides. That fear brings wisdom and the desire to do His will and when we are actively engaged in His will for our lives, the “good life” is realized for us.
Where are you looking to find the “good life”? Are you seeking to follow God in the turns of your life? What if you allowed the fear of the LORD to drive your obedience to Him and the “good life”?
Trevor's Thoughts 