Proverbs 1:24-27: Wisdom shouted. Did you listen?

Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Proverbs 1:24-27 (NKJV)

Wisdom did all she could to get your attention—but Wisdom was ignored. 

Called: shouted 

Refused: be recusant (deny to submit one's self to an authority or follow a set of rules)

Stretched out: extend; of wisdom's appeal

Regarded: incline, attend, gave attention

Disdained: neglect, let alone

Counsel: advice

Would: be willing, consent

None: zero

Rebuke: chiding, correction

Now the result is—

 

Laugh: usually in contempt, derision

Calamity: distress, under which one bends, burden

Mock: deride, have in derision

Terror: dread, terrifying

Comes: arrives

Storm: devastating storm

Destruction: calamity, oppression

Whirlwind: storm-wind—that makes an end; of ruin

Distress: adversary, specifically of travail

Anguish: pressure, distress, troublous

Why do we think that after multiple opportunities to accept Wisdom, which we've ignored, that she would be willing to continue to hand around waiting for us to listen. There comes a point and time when Wisdom says, "You didn't listen, and now you find yourself in trouble. So be it." 

Listen. Hear. Take note of what lies ahead. And if you ignore Wisdom—you'll end up just where Wisdom said you would, in trouble. 

Hindsight is always 20/20. Looking back we see mistakes and wrong choices we made. Wisdom is doing all she can to help us make the right choices so that we don't have to learn the hard way! Wisdom knows all about right and wrong choices. If one just LISTENS and HEARS what Wisdom is saying, calamity, distress, and anguish can be avoided. 

To be able to hear and listen to Wisdom, a heart must first be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when one has a reverence for God, then the ears are open to hear what Wisdom has to say, and the desire to listen and obey is strongest. 

Wisdom shouted. Did you listen? If you ignored her, you will now hear her laughing as anguish comes upon you. 

Ever-Present

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 138. Here is what I learned.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. Psalm 138:7 (AMP)

Lord, ·even when I have trouble all around me [If I walk in the midst of distress], you will keep me alive.

When my enemies are angry, you will ·reach down [send out your hand] and save me by your ·power [right hand]. Psalm 138:7 (EXB)

What? Wait a minute... what does this verse say? “Midst of TROUBLE”? Midst of Distress? I thought that loving God and obeying Him would allow me to AVOID all trouble and distress! 

Well, actually that’s not true. Throughout Scripture God teaches us that our lives will not be “perfect” but rather no matter what happens, God is there with us. 

But why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Many reasons. Some of which we, in our finite human minds, cannot nor will never understand. Yet, no matter what is happening or what trouble we find ourselves in the midst of we have things we can do. 

1. Determine if the trouble/distress is caused by sin in your life. If it is, confess and make changes so you don’t create that situation again. 

2. Determine if God is teaching you something. Perhaps He is trying to get your attention so that you can create a deeper relationship with God. 

3. Remember that God is still worthy of praise no matter the level of trouble or distress. Who God is does not change based upon us or our circumstances. God is God—period. 

To create a positive day, I need to remember, that when I find myself in the midst of trouble, God is still God and He is ever-present. 

Not Just on the Difficult Days

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 111. Here is what I learned.

He has declared and shown to His people the power of His works in giving them the heritage of the nations [of Canaan]. Psalm 111:6 (AMP)

He has ·shown [proclaimed to] his people ·his power [the power/strength of his deeds] when he gave them the ·lands [inheritance] of other nations [the conquest]. Psalm 111:6 (EXB)

"He hath shewed his people the power of his works." They have seen what he is able to do and what force he is prepared to put forth on their behalf. This power Israel saw in physical works, and we in spiritual wonders, for we behold the matchless energy of the Holy Ghost and feel it in our own souls. 

In times of dire distress the Lord has put forth such energy of grace that we have been astonished at his power; and this was part of his intent in bringing us into such conditions that he might reveal to us the arm of his strength. 

Could we ever have known it so well if we had not been in pressing need of his help? We may well turn this verse into a prayer and ask to see more and more the power of the Lord at work among us in these latter days. O Lord, let us now see how mightily thou canst work in the saving of sinners and in preserving and delivering thine own people. "That he may give them the heritage of the heathen." He put forth all his power to drive out the Canaanites and bring in his people. Even thus may it please his infinite wisdom to give to his church the heathen for her inheritance in the name of Jesus. Nothing but great power can effect this, but it will surely be accomplished in due season. The Treasury of David

It’s easy to ignore what God is really doing during the “good times”. When we are accomplishing things “on our own”. However, as soon as we hit a difficult spot, we quickly turn to God to rescue us. We turn God into our “bail bondsman”. We want God to rescues us from our trouble, and too often once we are “free” from our difficulties, we quickly forget what God did. 

Yes, God is there in times of distress, but God is also present during the great times. God shows His power and strength on a daily basis—am I noticing what God is doing? 

To create a positive day, I need to notice God’s power and His amazing works—each and every day, and not just on the difficult days.

Quicksand of Trouble

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 138. Here is what I learned.

Lord, ·even when I have trouble all around me [if I walk in the midst of distress], you will keep me alive. When my enemies are angry, you will ·reach down [send out your hand] and save me by your ·power [right hand]. Psalm 138:7 (EXB)

When I am surrounded by troubles, you keep me safe. You oppose my angry enemies and save me by your power. Psalm 138:7 (GNT)

Even though I walk into the middle of trouble, you guard my life against the anger of my enemies. You stretch out your hand, and your right hand saves me. Psalm 138:7 (GW)

Midst: the center, surrounded. 

Trouble: adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.

Synonyms for Trouble: agitation, anxiety, bad news, bind, bother, commotion, concern, danger, difficulty, dilemma, dire straits, discontent, discord, disorder, disquiet, dissatisfaction, distress, disturbance, grief, hang-up, heartache, hindrance, hot water, inconvenience, irritation, mess, misfortune, nuisance, pain, pest, pickle, predicament, problem, puzzle, row, scrape, sorrow, spot, strain, stress, strife, struggle, suffering, task, torment, tribulation, tumult, unrest, vexation, woe.

No matter the word, when we find ourselves in trouble, often it’s hard to find the way out. Joy and happiness quickly become despair and discouragement. Being surrounded by trouble, there is choice. Look at the troubles surrounding you and sink deeper into despair and discouragement (which by the way will only cause you to sink deeper... like quicksand). OR look up and see God at work, knowing that He is present and that God can lift you out of the trouble and restore joy and happiness. 

Oh, God may leave you in the midst of the trouble for a time, to teach you, to teach others, or simply to bring glory to Himself... but even when surrounded by trouble, you don’t have to be discouraged, knowing that God will keep you safe. 

When  surrounded by troubles don’t fret and continue to struggle, for like quicksand the more you struggle, the deeper you’ll sink. Rather, stand tall and look up.... God is present and will restore the joy and happiness—even while still in trouble. It’s about recognizing that God is always present and that He is the one  who will save you. 

If I find myself surrounded by quicksand of trouble, to create a positive day, I need to stop trying to get out on my own, stand tall, look up and relax, knowing that God is present and will save me.