“When I was a son with my father (David), Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba),4He taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live.5“Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6“Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you; Love her, and she will watch over you.”
Proverbs 4:3-6 AMP
While in the opening verses of this Proverb we saw the responsibility of the mentor, we now turn to the responsibility of the mentee! Earlier in our study of Proverbs we learned that the “beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.” That means knowing and being willing to listen to the directions of the Lord. Willingness is the foundation upon which a wise person builds his or her life. Without a willingness to listen, there can be no forward movement in a person’s life! I remember a moment when Jesus was crying out to the people,
““O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who murders the prophets and stones [to death] those [messengers] who are sent to her [by God]! How often I wanted to gather your children together [around Me], as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.”
Matthew 23:7 AMP
God spoke to the people through the prophet Isaiah,
“Now, go, write it on a tablet before them And inscribe it on a scroll, So that it may serve in the time to come As a witness [against them] forevermore. 9For this is a rebellious people, lying sons, Sons who refuse to listen to The law and instruction of the LORD;”
Isaiah 30:8-9 AMP
It wasn’t that God was not interested in the best for the people but rather “they” decided that God was not best for them! In any good mentor-mentee relationship, communication is of the utmost importance. The mentor needs to clearly communicate, and model and the mentee need to actively listen and observe! I am again reminded of a verse that puts this concept in a very clear way,
“in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments (precepts), so that you will live and multiply, and that the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to possess.”
Deuteronomy 30:16 AMP
Not much discussion to be had! God clearly speaks His ways and we must be willing to respond appropriately! Verse 5 states that clearly for us, “. “Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]! The believer is called to have an active part in the process of growth and Spiritual development. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter put it this way,
“like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment], 3if in fact you have [already] tasted [a]the goodness and gracious kindness of the Lord.”
1 Peter 2:2-3 AMP
Take time today to actively listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Spend time basking in the truth of God’s Word and allow it to refresh your spirit and soul! Be willing to “taste and see that Lord, He is good! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken