“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: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. “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. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you. “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. 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.”
Proverbs 1:20-33 NLT
It there was ever a time to live in wisdom, this is it! This passage ( and Chapter 2 as well) is a treasure chest of information. For today, here are 5 big things to remember:
- God moves by His Spirit and His Word to correct His people. The system is designed to function through the ministry of a local gathering of believers where the Word is preached and the Spirit is allowed to move. (2 Timothy 3:16 – 4:5; 1 Corinthians 14:26)
- He uses many, many different ways to do it (1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Ephesians 4:11-16)
- He is extreme in His longsuffering. He will keep trying to help you even when you choose to ignore Him. (2 Peter 3:9; Psalm 86:15)
- Judgment is primarily comprised of getting your own way. Please, spend your energy on finding His way! (Proverbs 14:12-14; James 1:2-6)
- This is the road to peace and safety.
Before you leave for church this morning, try being a doer of this Word:
“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.”
Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT
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