The Problem with Human Reason

Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. Also he went out from there and built Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah.”

Shechem was the place where Abraham built an alter to the Lord when he first left Canaan. The area at the time was settled by Canaanites.

Penuel is the very place of Jacob’s ladder, where he wrestled with God.

Shechem & Penuel

Both places share a rich past where the worship of God took place and changed the course of God’s people.

Abraham was chosen as the father of the Jewish nation.

Jacob was the father of the 12 tribes of Israel.

So Jeroboam built these cities as a reminder to Israel that God is with them, but then established alters in Bethel and Dan for the idolatrous worship of two golden calf’s.

So what we find in all of this, and what our scripture today tells us is that, our choices can make a great impact on ourselves and those associated with us, whether they are good or bad.

“Human” reason is flawed by a lack of faith in God.

Do we trust that God can take care of us?

Do we trust that He will keep us safe?

Do we believe that He is active in our everyday lives?

These are questions we are asking and yet don’t always seem to find the answers to.

But if wisdom teaches us anything from scripture:

I. God can be trusted with our lives.

A. We must lean on Him.

Proverbs 3:5–6 NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Why does this seem so difficult for Christians?

We lean on everyone else in our lives: Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters, friends?

But you know, God wants us to lean on Him, and He’s even provided a tangible way for it to be personal in our lives, by providing each other to carry one another’s burdens.

Inspired by the hymns he used to sing in his VA hometown as a boy, Bill Withers wrote:

Lean on me,

When

When you’re not strong,

And I’ll be your friend,

I’ll help you carry on,

For, it won’t be long til I’m going to need

Somebody to lean on.

You just call on me brother when you need a hand,

We all need somebody to lean on.

I just might have a problem that you’ll understand,

We all need somebody to lean on.

B. We must believe His promises.

2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

And what are His promises?

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I will be a father to you.

2 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV

“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 NKJV

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew

I will give you everlasting life.

John 6:47 NKJV

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

There are so many more, but think about it, God promises us that which mankind longs for and yet can’t seem to nail down.

Maybe we just don’t think that these promises are enough?

But if we weigh them carefully against all that this world could possibly offer, they far outweigh anything of this world, and are far more precious.

They are also only found in the relationship with Jesus.

So yes, God can be trusted with our lives, but we also must understand that -

II. Trust must be an action.

We must move from the mind to the feet now.

Simply thinking that we trust God will not have any effect upon us unless there is some shoe leather involved.

You’ll notice that the scriptures give some direction to us:

Walk in the Spirit. (Gal. 5:16)

Follow after Jesus. (Matt.4:19)

Be doers of the Word. (James 1:22)

Visit and comfort, which is pure religion. (

You’ll also notice that

Bear each other’s burdens. ()

Be kind to one another, forgiving one another. ()

Again, not an exhaustive list, but enough to whet our appetite.

Jeroboam feared losing what God Himself gave him!

How crazy is that?

And we might say to him if he were here with us, “man what’s your problem?”

But, then again, we do the same thing every day, because we try to change circumstances, or do things contrary to God’s will because we don’t trust Him with what He’s given to us!

Do you see how bizarre that sounds?

Conclusion:

The only true wisdom is Godly Wisdom.

And the only place it is available is in the relationship found exclusively in Christ!

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