September 11, 2017

TO REJECT GOD'S GRACE IS FOOLISH. TO ACCEPT GOD'S GRACE IS WISE!

Proverbs 1:20-33

John Hill
Monday's Devo

September 11, 2017

Monday's Devo

September 11, 2017

Central Truth

Christ is seeking you. He is calling you. He wants a relationship with you. He is waiting patiently for you. He forgives you. He died for you.

But you must accept His gift of grace! He will not impose Himself on you. To reject Him is FOOLISH!

Key Verse | Proverbs 1:22

"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?"
(Proverbs 1:22)

Proverbs 1:20-33

The Call of Wisdom

20  Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
    in the markets she raises her voice;
21  at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
    at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22  “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools hate knowledge?
23  If you turn at my reproof, 1 1:23 Or Will you turn away at my reproof?
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
    I will make my words known to you.
24  Because I have called and you refused to listen,
    have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25  because you have ignored all my counsel
    and would have none of my reproof,
26  I also will laugh at your calamity;
    I will mock when terror strikes you,
27  when terror strikes you like a storm
    and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
    when distress and anguish come upon you.
28  Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
    they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29  Because they hated knowledge
    and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30  would have none of my counsel
    and despised all my reproof,
31  therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
    and have their fill of their own devices.
32  For the simple are killed by their turning away,
    and the complacency of fools destroys them;
33  but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
    and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

Footnotes

[1] 1:23 Or Will you turn away at my reproof?

Dive Deeper | Proverbs 1:20-33

What would you wish for if a "magical genie" offered to grant your one wish? A cure for cancer? The home of your dreams? Healing? A cure for world hunger? World peace? The perfect spouse? The gift of a child? Wisdom? Knowledge?

If you are like me, WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE were probably not the first thoughts that came to mind. In 2 Chronicles 1:7-12, we find that God actually granted Solomon "one" wish. WOW, talk about pressure! Solomon did not ask God for power, immortality, victory over his enemies, or a winning lottery ticket—but for wisdom and knowledge!

Too often, I find that what I want is the "temporary over the eternal." I want things that seem right in my own eyes, but may not be God's best for me. But as I dig into Scripture, study and meditate on God's Word, and trust Him, I find that I am more inclined to ask for and pursue what God wants for my life.

As I considered these verses from Proverbs, I was also reminded that:

Christ is in the street calling out my name (Proverbs 1:20).
He is knocking at my door (Revelation 3:20).
He died for me (Titus 3:5).
I am not condemned because of Christ's sacrifice for me (Romans 8:1).

God does not promise wealth, health, or freedom from persecution. More than these things, I need Christ in my life. As I seek first the kingdom of God, my "needs" not only seem to change, I find they are being met! I am discovering that to find joy in my life, I need Christ alone in my life!

I may not have the wisdom of Solomon, but I am gaining great wisdom from God's Word. God is revealing His ways to me, and I pray He is revealing His ways to you. If you want the wisdom of Solomon, you have the source at your fingertips. Pick up His Word and read!

Discussion Questions

1. If you were offered wisdom and knowledge or money and health, which do you (honestly) think you would choose?

2. Do you feel you regularly allow God to inform your decisions?

3. If your community group or a spiritually grounded friend offered sound biblical guidance, do you think you are mature enough in your walk to accept that counsel? What if that guidance was different from the decision you would have made on your own?

4. What specific actions do you think you need to take in your life to help you make wise decisions like Solomon?