May 22nd, 2006
The Tongue – Edition #33: Am I Listening?
You know… the bible talks a lot about understanding, and I agree, understanding is a good thing. It is good to understand this and that and the other. But sometimes, I think I really don’t need to understand everything. I really don’t. Why does this or that happen to me? Why do I really need to know that? Is that really important? These days, all I want to know from God is the simplicity of it all; can you show me where the blessing is? That’s what I’m asking God these days. Just a thought or two… anyway…
Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech: “How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you- when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Proverbs 8:1-21
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
(Additions May 23rd, 2006)
Wisdom calls to me, God raises his voice. He wants me to hear him. So the question is this: am I listening? I have thought a lot about things over the last few months. It is really good to have all sorts of great things such as: wisdom, understanding, love, friends, family, possessions… the list can really go on. The bible, and I agree, says that love is most important. It will take care of friends and family. I know, wisdom and understanding, they are important… I desire them, but I don’t know if burden of having them is good. I mean, when you have nothing, then there isn’t much responsibility. But when you’re a CEO of a huge company… and all the stockholders are looking at you to make them rich… then it is your head in a noose every day. When the stocks go up, you are a hero. When the stocks go down, you have to answer some questions. And if you are answering questions more often than playing the hero, you’ll be ridiculed and loose your job.
Luke 14:28-30
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’”
How do I look at myself? I mean, do I listen? With wisdom, I would count the costs. To have wisdom, I have to listen and understand.
Romans 12:9-18
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Now, there is a lot of tricky things here, which honestly, I just understand this puzzle. “Don’t lack in zeal” and yet we can mourn. How can we be a zealous mourner? I just can’t imagine someone excitingly sad. I don’t know… just a strange thought. I guess I just… maybe it’s me being tired. I don’t know.
The order of things:
- God/Wisdom calls out
- I listen
How do I respond?
- With zeal and rejoicing
And why with rejoicing? Well, I always remember this: when God talks, it is always a good thing. When God talks, it is time to rejoice.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
It’s the peace of God that is the final part of this puzzle. I am not all that sure about the zealous mourner, but the peace of God part, I feel pretty about that.
The order of things:
- God talks
- I listen
- I rejoice
Anyway… this helped my out a bit. Maybe you, maybe not. Johnny Out.
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