November 1, 2022
“Because I called and you refused [to answer], I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer]; 25And you treated all my counsel as nothing And would not accept my reprimand, 26I also will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when your dread and panic come, 27When your dread and panic come like a storm, And your disaster comes like a whirlwind, When anxiety and distress come upon you [as retribution].” Proverbs 1:24-27 AMP
The Psalmist reminds us that the path of our decisions will bring some kind of result! Verse 24 clearly lays responsibility at the feet of the individual. The Scripture tells us that “you refused to answer” when God called and treated His council as “nothing.” The word “refused” is the Hebrew word meaning to “to show unwillingness or disagreement toward something or some action.” Notice that the issue at hand is “disagreement” with God’s wisdom! It refers to a conscious choice to refuse that which is offered! I am reminded of the pray of Apostle Paul for the believers at Ephesus,
“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers; 17[I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son].” Ephesians 1:15-17 AMP
It is God’s desire that we walk in the realm of wisdom and revelation. The word revelation in the Greek means “to have something reveled or brought into the light;” “to remove a veil and reveal that which is hidden beneath.” There came a moment in each of our lives when the “revelation” of who God was pierced our hearts and we suddenly knew our wayward condition. It was at that moment an eternal decision was made about our future destiny! James reminds us that,
“So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. 22But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. 23For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. 25But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].” James 1:21-25 AMP
If we are to embrace God’s Word then we must walk in a humble way for the Scripture warns us that,
“He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized), Will suddenly be broken beyond repair.” Proverbs 29:1 AMP
As the revelation of God is reveled to us, we are called into a deeper relationship and new level of surrender. A God begins His restorative process in your life, decide today to yield to Him and His plan for you! It is written in the book of Micah,
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?”
Micah 6:8 AMP
Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken