Early Morning Ears

Proverbs 3:12 (KJV) For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

As I read this, my thoughts turn to how correction and guidance do not have to be overwhelming or a matter of stern discipline.  I think about how God dealt with Israel with constant reminders and constant calls to repentance.  Israel’s response?  Business as usual.  We often focus on the tremendous threats offered by the prophets, and the tragedy of those threats being carried out.  We think of the deportation of the northern kingdom, and the ten tribes, and how they are never heard from again.  We think of the eventual exile of the southern tribes, and all of the death and destruction that went along with it.

It didn’t have to be . If Israel, as a nation had simply listened to the gentle voice of God, then they would’ve never had to face the storm.

So?  Is God speaking to you?  Are you listening?  There’s a reason why we refer to the influence of the Holy Spirit as “a still small voice.”  You can listen now or you can be punished later.  You can respond to the general nudging or wait for whack-a-mole. 

Wise Heart

Proverbs 2:10 (KJV) When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

One of the great benefits of the new covenant is the advent of the Holy Spirit coming to fill us and being available to all believers.  This is expressed in many different ways through the scripture and is interpreted from different theological points of view.  Here is just one of those little sides that add another depth to it.

Wisdom is not just something we read in a book, like the Bible.  It’s not just something we listen to from those who are deeper into their spiritual walk than we are.  Wisdom is something which has a living element that actually enters into our hearts.  It becomes a part of us.  If we allow it, it becomes almost automatic in guiding our decisions, our priorities, our thought processes.

So?  At another place you will read the phrase “seek wisdom”.  In the seeking spend time, thinking about it, meditating on it, and praying that God would actually let it enter into your heart.  I’m sure I’ve said it before and others have said it, but it’s like a spiritual GPS.  But of course the GPS only works when you listen to what it tells you. 

Personal Covenant

Isaiah 55:3 (KJV) Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

(Proverbs 1 also read)

One of the many rabbit trails I follow on my daily journey of study and meditation has to do with the idea of the covenant.  There are a number of covenants discussed in scripture.  You have the covenants of Noah, Abraham and Moses.  Each one is an agreement with God which affects them and others.

Here what I see is God offering an everlasting covenant with us as individuals . I say individual, because at this point in history, God already had a covenant established with the nation of Israel.  This seems to be a different offering given to us to respond to.  It deals with your soul.

So?  This was written millennium ago.  It still would apply today I think.  God is reaching out.  He is done this all through history.  He is doing it today.