Proverbs, a book of wisdom. A book meant to lay a firm foundation and sahare effective ways of living.
The words within Proverbs will not only show us, but also correct us. Our faith needs to be taught in order to grow.
Last night Proverbs 1:20-33 did just that.
It corrected me. It called me out. It made me question my actions.
It taught me.
The title of this Proverb in my Bible is “Wisdom Shouts in the Streets”. Wisdom SHOUTS! Say that out loud.
“Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate.” (20-21)
The proverbs uses a personification to show you that wisdom is alive. Wisdom is the mind of Jesus. WOW. And Jesus is wisdom brought to life, shouting out, in the act.
Jesus and all His wisdom is SHOUTING at us.
“How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded?” (1:22)
This question cut deep. Simpletons are fools. Fools with a character deficiency. Like a vitamin deficiency, simpletons lack the proper minerals and nutrients needed to thrive righteously.
Simpletons are lazy, rebellious, angry, fools. And often, we are too.
We are too lazy to open our Bibles.
We rebel against the word of God.
We get angry when things do not go our way.
And how long ARE we going to insist on being so simpleminded, so self-centered and stubborn?
You see, Jesus is SHOUTING at us, throwing His knowledge in our faces, but yet we simpletons, walk away and reject it.
Reject, a word you will see me use a lot in the post. A word that this message is centered around. We reject God. We reject His wisdom.
It continues on, asking us: “How long will you fools hate knowledge?” (1:22). When we reject God’s knowledge, we are being hateful towards Him.
“Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.” (1:23)
This is a daily invitation people. But, we are so quick to reject it.
We take the road of “it’s my way or the highway”. Do not reject God’s wisdom offered to you, laid plainly in front of our faces- His word, the Bible. It is meant to equip us!
“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and REJECTED the correction I offered.” (24-25).
He CALLS us OFTEN. He REACHES OUT daily. He OFFERS correction and advice. But, we REJECT it.
This should sting a little. It did for me too. Because, how often do I do this?
How often to I reject my Great Counselor? He reaches out His hand to me and I shove it away. We shove it away and grasp on to something else, leading down a path of destruction. We are prideful, and pride gets in our way, causing us to reject Him. We see our own ideas and “knowledge” as being better than what He has to offer.
“When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though, they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.” (1:28-31)
Sometimes when we reject God, we fall into a mess. And sometimes, God is going to let us learn.
We fell into our own schemes. God tried to correct us and hand us advice, but we ignored it.
Then, when it’s “too late” and we start to anxiously search for God, He isn’t there. Yes, God is ALWAYS there, but our sin has consequences. Our choices have outcomes- not all being good ones. We must learn.
“For simpletons turn away from me- to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” (1:32-33)
Let’s stop being simpletons.
Let’s no longer live as fools who make their own choices.
Let’s not choose rebellious ways over God’s ways.
Let’s live a life that is untroubled and peaceful.
LISTEN & FOLLOW Jesus!
Do not REJECT His wisdom that He so willingly gives to us. Hear His wisdom shouting, and FIND IT. Don’t turn away from it.
Living a life without His wisdom is not a life I want to be living.
I’ve been wandering around, lost, ignoring His wisdom, but now I am choosing to SEEK OUT His wisdom. Like I said, this Proverb definitely called me out. I have been rejecting the Lord. I have been choosing my way over His. I have been a fool lost in this world, but His wisdom found me. Let His wisdom find you today. Let it fill you, correct you, strengthen you, prepare you, encourage you, and motivate you. It is time we “come and listen to His counsel” today! It is time to allow Him to share His heart with us & make us wise!
MKG
Коментарі