38 ANSWER THE CALL F O O T ================================

• H O L D

READING

38 ANSWER THE CALL

PRAY Lord, give me wisdom as I read your word today.

READ Proverbs 1:20-33.

THINK God is not limited to any one place. He is everywhere, and he can speak to you anywhere. King David could not get away from him (see Psalm 139:7-12). What is (a) the challenge and (b) the comfort of this truth for you? —————————————————————- FOCUS THE CALL OF WISDOM In these verses wisdom is imagined as a person but this is just a way of describing God’s wisdom – wisdom is not really a person separate from God. Where does wisdom call (20,21)? Wisdom is not confined to halls of learning, but is found in the busy centres of everyday life. THE REJECTION OF WISDOM Who are the people who reject wisdom’s call (22)? ‘A fool’ in the Bible means someone who WILL NOT understand what God wants to do in their lives. It is not someone who CANNOT understand. Verse 29 and 30 make it clear that it is not lack of understanding, but deliberate rejection of wisdom which brings punishment. God is loving and kind, but he can stop calling people if they continue to reject Him. Hard words – but note God always gives people opportunities to accept first. THE BENEFITS OF WISDOM Whoever listens to wisdom and responds to her call gains true security, safety and peace (33). Do you have these things! —————————————————————- PRAY Ask God to help you to be open to him, ready to hear his voice and eager to help others listen for him. It would be silly not to lift the receiver when you have a phone call or not to open a letter when you get one. God always makes the first move when he calls you. Your job is to answer his call. God calls us most clearly through the Lord Jesus – he is the true wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30). ============