| Proverbs 1:28-31 |
28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Have you ever heard the familar saying that hindsight is 20/20? Or better yet, have you ever asked God for a "do-over?" I certainly have. I have asked God for several "do-overs." The problem is that for every "do-over" I wish I could have, there was always wisdom available to prevent the situation that I got myself into. Right before this passage, God speaks to wisdom's call and our refusal to answer, resulting in our ultimate self-inflicted calamity. Here God is simply saying that when we refuse his instruction, knowledge, wisdom and guidance, He will allow us to reap the consequences of our actions. Everytime.
What's interesting is that I can distinctly remember a situation where I did not heed wisdom but as soon as the consequences came along, I went searching for God! Have you ever done that? Have you ever disobeyed God and then turned to him to rescue you once your disobedience caused an uncomfortable and painful situation? I remember God explicity telling me that He was finished with something that I was choosing to hold onto. He told me to get out of it. He told me He had something better, greater. And OH did He ever have something greater!
God has something better for you too. Something greater. Something more fulfilling. More rewarding. Something more purposeful. More Him. More You.
I only wish I had listend wayyyyy back then and not prolonged my time in less than God's best! I wish I could go back and do it over! I would choose differently! I would listen better! Back then, I did not listen. I stayed and the situation got worse. I cried out to God to deliver me. I cried and begged and begged and cried! Have you ever done that? I wanted to be delivered out of the situation immediately. I wanted out so badly. But that's now how God works.
Thankfully, He is such a loving and caring God, that He covers us with grace as we endure our reaping process. But He does not rescue us, not even when we beg and cry. Instead, He allows us to learn obedience just as Jesus did.....through suffering. Yet the truth is that it is not the will of God that we should suffer unnecessarily. He has provided all the necessary instruction we need to live an abundant life in Him. However, when WE choose to disobey and/or disregard His instruction, He will always allow us to eat the fruit of our ways (reap what we sow). Everytime.
So I encourage you, if you are holding onto something or someone that God is finished with, please listen to His instruction. Of course, I am not speaking of your spouse who is a part of your covenant with God. But I'm speaking of other strongholds, habits, ways, people that are hindering your growth and process in God....hinderences that are deafening your hearing of wisdom's instruction. Don't allow hindsight to be your clearest vision. Allow the Word of God to give you clear and concise wisdom now....BEFORE destruction comes.
Pearls to Ponder
Have you ever asked God for a "do-over?" When you think about that situation, did God try to warn you beforehand? What could God be warning you about now to prevent future suffering? Are you holding on to any people, strongholds, habits or ways that God is finished with in your life?
Pearls to Treasure
1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
Galations 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
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