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Proverbs 29:1 – 27 Seeking Revelation

by fol CHURCH on August 03, 2020

Rather like yesterday’s passage we have a list of 27 quite different proverbs that provide us with a wonderful range of wise nuggets. Like yesterday I was particularly struck by 1 verse in the middle.

“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”

I particularly like the way the Message version interprets this verse,

If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.

Perhaps these chapters are structured so that there is a focal point in the middle or maybe it’s just the way the dividing lines have fallen but it’s amazing how these peaks so often stand out.

In amongst all the great words about wisdom, righteousness, justice, neighbourliness and love is this precious verse that tells us that if we don’t have this bit right we’re facing a rather pointless battle.

If there is no revelation of God, if we as His people don’t take time to stop and wait and listen to the things He is saying we will always end up doing our own thing. So all the other wisdom contained in this chapter and most likely the others around it are for naught. It is the word of God, His law as it was once called, that keeps us on the right track. Without it we cast off restraint we stop caring about much more than the things that bring us pleasure or comfort. We become absorbed in ourselves and that is the path to destruction because it is filled with pride.

The call is always for us to be seeking God, to be listening for His voice and responding to His call. Obedience to Him brings the blessings that the second part of the verse speaks about. And then the rest of these verses make so much more sense.

 

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Heavenly Father would you open our ears to your every word. Would you sharpen our senses to your touch and to your call? Father we recognise that you only have good things planned for us so please deliver us from the temptation to stray from the direction and purpose of your call. Holy Spirit would you come upon each of us today, would you fill us with your presence and lead us to the place where we are filled with all the life, grace and love that heaven has to pour out upon us. Send your fire Lord! Amen.

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