Proverbs 3:3-4 ESV

   3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

     bind them around your neck;

     write them on the tablet of your heart.

   4 So you will find favor and good success

     in the sight of God and man.

The principal source and inspiration of the Book of Proverbs is credited to Solomon, the son of David. Most biblical scholars attribute the first two-thirds of the writings to Solomon. Chapters 25-31 are generally credited to three other sources referred to as Hezekiah (chs.25-29), Agur (ch.30), and Lemuel (ch.31). There is no conclusive evidence to determine exactly how much Solomon specifically contributed to the Book of Proverbs in comparison to other wise authors of that ancient period. Because Proverbs is a collection of wisdom writings the likely date of authorship spans between 900 B.C (Solomon’s time) to 600 B.C. (Hezekiah’s time). 

     Proverbs is one, of five, Old Testament biblical books known as “wisdom books”; the other four are: Job, Psalms, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes. Proverbs is a collection of poems, writings, and sayings that provide instruction for living an effective life on earth. Biblical wisdom is the ability to understand people, events, and circumstances as God sees them. The Book of Proverbs builds upon the foundational truth that wisdom has its source in the proper fear and reverence of God: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

     A significant part of our human condition involves seeking out happiness and joy during our lifetimes; it is often referred to as experiencing “the good life.” The most common approach to seeking out happiness and joy (in other words, “Getting To The Good Life”) is by improving our situations. It is common to believe that any number of changes to our circumstance will bring us the joy and happiness we desire: a more satisfying job, more money, way more money, a better education, public notoriety, a new relationship, a different spouse, a nicer home, a comfortable retirement, improved health, successful children, more and better stuff, and on, and on.

     The problem is that studies have shown that ones situation, or circumstance, accounts for very little when determining how much joy is experienced in life. What resides within us has significantly more impact upon the levels of our happiness; it is how we think, how we respond to, our attitude toward, and what we believe about the situation, or circumstance, we find ourselves in. Interestingly, it seems both scientific study and the Bible are in some alignment on this thinking.

     There is a class at Yale University that teaches happiness is not something some have and some don’t. Professor Santos, of Yale, instructs students that you can practice happiness; you can actually develop habits that will make you happier. There is a U.C. Riverside psychologist who proposes from her studies that only 10% of a person’s happiness is affected by their situation, while 40% is affected by their thought, actions, and attitudes (regardless of circumstance).

     Proverbs is God’s practical advice and direction on “Getting To the Good Life.” As Christians, we understand that we cannot hope to change the essence of who we are without the power of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit transforming us from the inside out. It will be through our reliance on God’s direction and teaching to produce true and lasting joy in our lives.

     5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean not on your own understanding.

     6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make straight your paths.

     Following God’s wisdom in our life will help guide us to a place of joy not matter the worldly circumstance we may find ourselves in. This message series will explore God’s instructions for “Getting To the Good Life” in seven specific areas: family, friendship, speech, attitude, emotion, money, and sex.