Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 1:20-23
Prov 1:20-23
Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Matt 11:15
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
On several occasions Jesus ended his teaching with these words. The renowned commentator, Matthew Henry is quoted as saying: “There is none so deaf as those that will not hear. None so blind as those who will not see.” This passage in Proverbs is speaking as “wisdom” personified and is urging the young man to listen to her advice, the gaining of wisdom. Back in verse seven he had stated that “fools despise wisdom and instruction”.
No matter our age or gender, we need to learn to listen. We all need advice. We all need instruction. We all need to hear what others are saying. James says that we are to be quick to hear and slow to speak. Someone noted that God gave us two ears and only one mouth so we could listen before we speak.
All of this is especially true when it comes to the Word of God. We need to be quiet and listen. We need to hear what God has to say about how we are to live our lives. He knows best. His word is the revelation of how we can live to please him. But his word also tells us how to have a good marriage, how to be good citizens, how to be good employees and employers, how to be a productive part of his church, and how to find peace and joy as a way of life. We must listen.
O Lord God, help me learn to speak less and to always think carefully before I do speak. Help me learn to listen better. Help me understand what others are saying and to not listen just to the sound of their voice. Teach me to learn to listen with grace and love in my heart so I will put the best construction on what others are saying. Give me grace to more boldly speak your word, but wisdom to speak the truth in love. Be with your people, wherever they are. Be with the leaders of our country at every level of government. Guide our upcoming elections and give us leaders who will allow us to live peaceable and quiet lives. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus my Lord and my Savior.
Robert
