When Wisdom Speaks, We Should Listen!

“Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” (Proverbs 1:20,33)

From verse 21-thru verse 32–we see the results of what happens when we will not listen to Wisdom. Solomon–who is considered the wisest man who ever lived, by God–chooses to reference Wisdom with the pronoun–she–indicating a female gender. Perhaps, it is because of the all the females he had in his life–700 wives and 300 concubines–that he has finally seen the light and the lessons he learns from his associations with these women (out of disobedience).

We all learn lessons when we disobey–any of the rules, policies, laws established.  When we ignore posted speed limits and get a ticket–we should learn to pay attention adhere to the speed limit. When we disregard policies established on jobs and get fire–we should pay attention at the next job. When we text while driving and cause accidents–if we’re not killed–we should learn a lesson and if we are, those around us should learn a lesson and not attempt to text and drive. There are always consequences for our actions and we are the only ones who can determine what consequence we’ll face–whether positive or negative–by what we do.

When are we going to heed Wisdom’s sound advice? When are we going to pay attention to God’s Word and His messengers–who speak loudly and boldly from public venues, on social mediums, and everywhere we find a forum? The consequence for not listening is found in the verses –not listed–but important. We can move into a place where our blatant disregard of God’s Word and His messengers puts us in position to “not be heard when we cry unto The Lord” to save us from our calamities. We will seek Him and won’t find Him. We will call out to Him in pain and anguish because of all the horrible things happening around us and He will not respond. Are we there yet?

We cannot continue to scorn God’s Word or His messengers who try to remind us that we must obey Him rather than man; we must seek Him for wisdom and wise counsel, rather than man. We must determine within ourselves that we will do all He has required us do–in order for mankind to be saved. Are we ready yet?

When Wisdom speaks–those who speak God’s Word and it aligns with His Word, we should listen so He will listen to us and respond to our cries–of repentance and save us, now!

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Comforted to Comfort!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4 NIV).

This reminder from Paul shores up my belief that all blesses from God to us are to be used to be blessing to others.

Any wisdom received from God should be used with and for others, not just selves.

Financial blessings received from God through whoever or whatever the source He chooses to release them, should be used to be a blessing for others.

The mercy God shows us, we should extend to us–knowing that He didn’t have to show mercy, but His love towards us–resulted in us receiving mercy and we should extend the same mercy towards others.

When God comforts us–in the wee hours of the night, sitting by the bed of a loved one who is ill or dying, we have received the tools we need to comfort others–compassion, patience, endurance and a heart of flesh–not stone.

With all of the turmoil swirling around us today–impending wars, terminal illnesses, rebellious spirits, economic uncertainty, and the loss of loved ones–receive the comfort of the Lord and be ready to comfort others, just as He comforts us–without faultfinding, finger-pointing, reciprocal expectations or anything other than–love. What He does for us–we should willingly do for others when the need arises.

Pray for one another at all times. Be ready to provide a shoulder for others to use (not for pity parties) in a time of need. Be ready to have a listening ear and a word of encouragement.

Remember that God works through people for the benefit of people. Listen, hear, and obey.

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to hear and do all You ask of us so that others may see You in all we do.