Wisdom for the Ages: Revere and Fear. How Strong-Willed People Can Find Success. Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Monday, February 5, 2018
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 02.05.2018” on Spreaker.
“Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father, and do not forsake the teaching from your mother.” (Proverbs 1:7–8, NET).
Strong-Willed
Reverence for God is the key to success. If God is the One who created the heavens and the earth, wouldn’t it just make sense to consult Him? Should we not consult Him regarding our lives in particular?
Think about a strong-willed seven year-old boy. Think about how caring, friendly, and intelligent he might be. People laud him for his winning smile and personality. Now, think about what it might be like to give him instructions, such as how to assemble a toy, keep his room neat, or manage his time. How simple or complex might it be? What if he thinks he knows almost everything, and tells you are wrong a lot? How does that sit with you?
Here’s a scary thought: even the most compliant among us, if we are not submitted fully to God, are like that willful boy.
God wants to speak to us as soon as we wake up, but some have other things to do. He wants to hear from us, but most would rather talk to friends with problems as insurmountable as ours. God has a roadmap for our days and nights, but some have decided we know better than He, and end up getting lost. Do you see where this is going?
Predicate for Prosperity
There is absolutely no way that proud/willful human being who is not willing to submit to God can prosper for long, if at all. Lasting success is predicated upon yielding the will to our Creator. He has a warehouse of wisdom and instruction for every area of our lives.
If you realize your need of help about relationships, prophecy, race issues, sexism, addictions, child rearing, work/life balance, interpersonal issues with church folk, or perspective on the news cycle in a world seemingly gone mad, learn to worship and respect your Creator.
Embrace wisdom and instruction like an obedient child listens to her parents, and you will prosper, no matter what trials you face in life. The bonus is that you will also be saved when Jesus returns.
A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.
