Read Psalm 119:97-104.
Life is not about what we know but about how well we live; the book of Proverbs was ‘written down so we’ll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it’s going; a manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair.’ (Prov 1:2-4, The Message) Ps 119 gives us guidance in this area too, reminding us that wisdom, understanding and insight are keys to a life lived well. Wisdom and insight give us an edge in life (Ps 119:98); they are crucial equipment for success, helping us in ways that academic knowledge alone cannot (Ps 119:99).
Obedience to God’s ways is also a key ingredient to a life well-lived (Ps 119:97, 100-1). We are privileged people, for God Himself is our teacher (Ps 119:102, see also John 14:26) and His word is our daily food (likened to honey in Ps 119:103.) Those who walk in God’s ways are kept from evil and know His blessing. Just as we need to follow a recipe to bake that perfect cake, we need to follow God’s ways to live well. Advent, that waiting period for God to act, reminds us that we could not save ourselves (Ps 49:7-8); we needed God to step in and act in ways that were beyond us. As we wait, our part is simply to follow the Maker’s instructions: ‘trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.’ (John H. Sammis)