Apples of gold in settings of silver

Ever find someone who gives the right instruction or advice at just the right time?  Or who understands real life and can relate with words of wisdom for the circumstance you are going through?

The result is a feeling of justification, or approval, that what you are doing is correct and that what you are going through is valid. 

Psalm 25:11 says exactly that:  "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances." (NASB)

We sometimes wonder if we are doing the right thing.  If we are in the right job.  If we made the right decision.  If can undo the dumb decision we just made.  If, if, if....  That's when my advice to you would be to stop wondering and start asking.  Asking God, that is. 

The Christian walk (which translated into the modern day vernacular really just means living the daily grind with the knowledge that Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life") should be a constant handing over of self.  There's a clear understanding of the human existence when you understand the basics. 

By basics I mean knowing that God is our Creator; He gave us freewill at the very beginning; this freewill caused mankind to choose disobedience, which in turn brought sin into the world; and the only way to redeem the situation is the only solution available:  the provision of a Redeemer, one who has no sin and can take the penalty (death). 

The whole meaning of our existence and life becomes clear when you accept this truth.  So the next obvious step is to live life according to the Creator.  There's so much in life that can drag us down when we take our eyes off this reality.  What we know to be superficial stuff (at least to begin with) can become common place in our lives when we have a hard time letting go of it.

This has been a big lesson for me since we delved into Believer's Bridge full-time.  A lot of what I knew to be truth in my head has been challenged for me to live in real life.  Are we willing to be fishers of men?  What is the cost?  And where God has called me may be different for you.  And my weakness may be different than yours.

So, going full circle: I mentioned feeling validated when someone reaffirms that what you are doing is right.  I attended a small group tonight and was sharing that I have been learning to let go and being content with where God has me.  A friend reaffirmed what I was saying by reading Hebrews 10: 32, 35-39:

"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. ... So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  For,
   “In just a little while,
   he who is coming will come
   and will not delay.”
 And,
   “But my righteous one will live by faith.
   And I take no pleasure
   in the one who shrinks back.”
But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved."

Oh yeah!  Those are "apples of gold in settings of silver"!  Here's praying someone will give you a basket of gold apples.  ;-)   Keep the faith.