Live By Principles

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Math and science were my favorite subjects in school. I preferred subjects based on strict rules rather than those with exceptions from time to time. Hence, I shied away from subjects that required extensive memorization and from those that applied rules with exceptions.

Languages tend to fall into this category. I recall reading Bible stories to my daughter during her early days of learning to read. She would follow along as I read. On this occasion, I was reading the story of Moses and came across the name ‘Pharaoh’. Upon hearing my pronunciation, she took exception and corrected me.

“Daddy, it’s Pay-roh! P says pa.”

I embarked on a futile endeavor trying to convince her that ‘Ph’ produced the sound of the letter ‘F’. She had been taught a rule that she thought would always be true. However, her limited experience would prevent her from realizing that this would not always apply.

Life is filled with uncertainty. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. It could be good news or bad news. This uncertainty often leads to doubt, fear, and worry. Yet, within the unpredictability of life lie principles that can be relied upon to work. If we live by these principles, we will find them to be true.

Here are a few of them found in God’s Word:

  1. Honouring God and His Word produces wisdom and understanding. (Proverbs 1)
  2. Our stewardship has a direct impact on our receipt of greater privileges and responsibility. (Luke 16)
  3. What we reap is linked to what we sow. (Galatians 6:7)
  4. Generosity enables us to be in a position to have more. (Luke 6:38)
  5. We are to do unto others as we would like done to us. (Luke 6:31)
  6. There is benefit in labour, while slothfulness leads to want. (Proverbs 10:5)
  7. Humility produces favour whilst pride leads to destruction. (Proverbs 16:18-19)
  8. Forgiveness of others facilitates God’s intervention in our situation. (Proverbs 25:21-22)
  9. Contentment produces peace, godliness, and lasting benefits. (1 Timothy 6:6)

So while life dishes out its share of unpredictable circumstances, we can apply some sure principles to our lives, and give them time to work. Then watch them do just that!