Proverbs 1:16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
This verse makes me think about the crowd chanting “crucify him, crucify him”, in Matt 27:22. When I still myself before God and meditate on this scripture I am so alarmed that perhaps my face is in that crowd. I try not to look and convince myself it’s my imagination and I would never have done that. I would have stood with him. Yet behind the bravado, a shivering soul sits. Without God, in my life, there would be no hope, no strength, no grace, no forgiveness, no mercy, no gratitude, no generosity, and no purpose.
I find it helpful to remind myself of where I would be without God today. I don’t dwell on these thoughts, rather I allow them to spur me on, to encourage myself. Yes, there was a time when I thought nothing of others losing out when the harm that befell others did not really touch me, it’s the horrible truth. How grateful I am for the touch of God on my life, that caused a rebirth, softening my hard heart, bringing tenderness and joy to my soul and renewal to my mind. May God help me to always have feet that run to help, and hands that look to heal.
KNOWLEDGE
The writer in v15 encourages us not to follow after the type of people described in verses 11-14, and now he again turns to describe what we are getting into if we don’t heed his advice. Life will suddenly change, we will suddenly be in over our heads, with potentially serious and significant consequences for the type of actions described.
These people are active in their actions that move away from moral purity (holiness) they don’t think too deeply about their actions or the consequences and will take us with them on this journey. They are unconcerned about others and the impact their actions will have on them, even leading to death. They are hungry to speak into your life and to take you with them. If you act in haste with them you will indeed regret at your leisure. Can you hear this warning?
UNDERSTANDING: Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live? The word for haste is pronounced “mahar” in the Hebrew language, and this word appears 81 times in the Old Testament. It is translated into English as, quickly; hurry; soon; at once; anxious [heart]; speedily; and swift. There is rashness and impetuousness about the actions of these people mentioned in verse sixteen.
WISDOM: how do I qualify who I will let speak into my life and influence my actions?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: WOO is a beautiful Influencing Strength – you naturally draw others to yourself, they enjoy being with you, creating an ever-widening network of influence. You are excited when others join in with your purposes and encourage them to bring their ideas and methods to the table. You can find ways of bringing whole communities and cultures into your sphere of influence. Be careful to build foundations of genuine care for others, rather than simply self-advancement.
P.S. – with others in your team, stay in a place with boundaries that allow you to bring correction, discipline and instruction as needed.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [they can’t wait to make big trouble, and don’t care who gets seriously hurt]
PRAYER: Father thank you for today. Please help me to position myself well in life and to be willing to share generously. Thank you.
“Without God, there would be nothing”
I thank God for coming into my life, opening my eyes, forgiving me. And I ask Him to teach me to forgive others , help others to find the Saviour that healed me.
At the ripe old age of seventy four I am still learning, every day.
Thank you, Pastor Allan, for your words of wisdom.
Thanks Ps Allan. The business breakthrough really spoke to me and challenged me to look outside the square and allow God to guide me to new relationships, new opportunities and grow my circle of influence in what I do.
Stirring commentary and great insight.
Thank you Allan for sharing and being vulnerable. To think where we would be without God, to think of the kind of life we could have had, if God didn’t draw us to Him, is quite sobering or humbling. How worthy is God of our praise; that He changed the direction of where our lives were headed. He put us on a path where we can know His life, purpose, wisdom, freedom, healing… in Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The wise run from evil rather than toward it. This speaks volumes into much of what goes in our society today, people just look for excuses to run into and do evil! Thank God for His intervention!
That image of putting ourselves in the position of the crowd shouting “Crucify Him” is so powerful! What would I really have done – how would I have felt. Would I have had the courage to stand with Jesus or succumb to the emotions of those around me?
Today I am learning more in my old age and also recognised as Jesus said: John 15:4…..FOR WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING “.
MUST ABIDE IN THE VINE!
Thank you Allan for AUV!
Love these insights.
Without God where would I be. A very frightening tought. A rebirth is a blessing indeed. Thanks Pastor Allan for the insighful message into what my life would have been like without God’s influence.
So very true, where would we be without God today ? Similarly to you Allan I also remind myself of this to encourage myself and recognise the greatest gift and love I have been freely given !
Be careful to build foundations of genuine care for others, rather than simply self-advancement. So good. Love these?
Amen!
Thanking God His love and grace in my life.
Also being mindful of when and how I can be of help to those around me. And be an example to demonstrate love of JESUS
The New Testament gives similar advice, from the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:33: “Bad company ruins good morals.” This is why Solomon warns to not even walk a single step in that path. Every moment spent with those who are trying to tempt us to things not of God is another moment closer to spiritual and tangible ruin.
“To have feet that run to help,and hands that looks to heal”
What a beautifu thought pastor Allan!
The heart of God is for us to be his hands and feet
To this world .
If God did not touch my life and save me the way he did,I won t know where I would be today
Because He loved :
We are given a new life and a hope for the future
I’m forever thankful for his grace and mercy to me.🙏
P.S. – with others in your team, stay in a place with boundaries that allow you to bring correction, discipline and instruction as needed
This hit me straight between the eyes
So relevant
Taken so much from this
Allen you are such a wise man
Thank you for taking the time to prepare these
I am so grateful to have been born again in my early 20s after discarding a life of growing up in a very religious background. I got to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit not long after & started to study the Word of God & to learn of His goodness & amazing grace. I travelled overseas for 3 years when I was 21 years of age & could have easily got in with the wrong crowd & who knows where I would be today. So here I see the need to be on the lookout to help the vulnerable & those who need to know the love of Jesus in such a fallen & broken world.
Awesome Allan. I got this thought whilst reading about the part saying “Run to Evil” made me think about my feet (Spiritually Speaking & sometimes in the natural)
The feet of the wise move slowly to the right decision, but the feet of the foolish move fast into destruction. I’ve learnt this many times throughout my own personal journey, Thank God for his outstretched arm that always saves me.
I am so conscious these days that it can be very easy just to sit back and be very comfortable with life. But I also know that this is not what God wants for me. He has purposed and gifted me for a reason.. and it’s not to sit back and admire others handiwork!! I need to surround myself with others who will spur me into action not people who are content to be a spectator. I want to be equipped so that I can be an effective mouthpiece for God to those who need it. Thanks Allan for always giving me something to think about
So true of the persecution many experience this days even just to not feel that you belong the enemy will lie and discourage you but knowing who we have in our side that’s the difference and all I can say if I’m challenged and judge by the enemy all I want is to be able to say ‘But even if He doesn’t’ but even if He doesn’t I love you Lord Jesus is my king bring it on!
We all question if God is real in some stage of our lives and it only leads to destruction during that time. Without the repentance and acknowledging Jesus is lord, The Holy Spirit can’t lead to the renewing mind of Christ.
I can’t even imagine without Christ in my life, I can only see one road without him and that’s the pits of hell.
Thank you Holy Spirit.
Thanks again for this Allan. Having strong and established boundaries in every aspect of my life will determine who I allow to speak into my life and also who I Decide to follow. There are a lot of voices out there.
What a question to ask myself – where I would be if it wasn’t for God being in my life. How empty and hallow my life would be. Thank you for amazing question to spur me on and to take time to looking back of the journey that God has taken me on 🙂
What a powerful reflection! It’s true how easily we can become swept up by the crowd, losing our sensitivity to right and wrong. History has shown us the devastating consequences, from the crucifixion of Jesus to the horrors of WW2. Staying close to Jesus is indeed the key to keeping our hearts tender and discerning, even in the face of widespread cruelty. With His guidance, we can resist the tide of apathy, bring comfort to the hurting, and be peacemakers in a broken world. Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful reminder to remain vigilant in love and compassion.