Proverbs 1:20 “wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice.”
I first met Pastor Biju Thampy in Scotland in 2001, I had already heard a lot about him as he had attended Bible College in England with a friend of mine. We had a day out together and we drove around the Highlands of Scotland, we visited remote spots, to see some of the hidden castles and beauty of the area.
Over the following years, we stayed in touch and as he moved to Mumbai we continued to be connected. It was in Mumbai, confronted by the chaos, immeasurable needs, and all the voices in the street that he started to ask God why he allowed all this to happen. He heard back an echo of that same question, “why do YOU allow this to happen?”.
He quickly realised that he could do something to feed some people so that every day he and his family filled their pots and pans with food and went out into the street to a place where they knew there were families that were homeless and fed hungry people.
Wendy and I have had the joy of visits to Mumbai over the years and seeing first-hand the work that’s now going on there. What I love about Pastor Biju, is that above all the other clamour of noise in the streets and the markets, he heard clearly the voice of wisdom and responded. Today 1000’s are fed and schooled and cared for in so many ways by Vision Rescue. It all started by responding to that voice of wisdom. What world-changing question that you have asked God could the Holy Spirit be talking to you about today?
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 “wisdom” in Hebrew is pronounced, “hak’mot” and this word appears five times in the Old Testament. Four times in Proverbs [1:20; 9:1; 14:1; and 24:7 as well as Psa 49:3]. It is translated into the English words [ESV] as, wisdom. This word implies a moral rather than an intellectual quality. When the plural form is used it talks to its supreme condition – so supreme wisdom.
KNOWLEDGE
Intellectual wisdom is not in the mind of this declaration of the essence of wisdom. There is a clear connection between moral purity being understood and practised and being seen as wise. It’s not a secret, it’s not kept as a secret, it’s clamouring to be heard and received, wherever we go – outside, inside, the field, and at the market, it’s being loudly proclaimed. There is no let-up in this announcement, this clarion call to obedience to God as the heart of all wisdom. Do I hear it – do I listen – what’s my response – what does my own journey of progressive sanctification look like?
WISDOM: when did I last repent and set out on a new course in agreement with the Holy Spirit?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Communication is a beautiful Influencing Strength – you bring attention to important messages, others grow as they hear you connect a story to an issue. You can get to the point, and bring common understanding forwards.
You craft your message for the best possible return on investment, others then know how you feel and also understand better how they feel about significant issues. You guard against dominating the conversation and draw others in to bring their part of the story. You instinctively practise reflective listening.
P.S. Remember your words will carry weight!
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [if you are genuine in your search for real Godly wisdom, then you will find this everywhere, loud and clear]
PRAYER: Father thank you for today. Please help me to intentionally stay tuned in to your voice in all the busy-ness of life. Thank you.
Hi Allan
I think its a clear message saying anyone who is filled with the Holy Spirit and truly believes will become that empty vessel. Will go out and speak freely into the world & wisdom will be heard through the passion of the spirit, speaking the word.
I pray I stay on the road of righteousness and not let the worldly things put me of, that I may stay still in time of need and know that you are God. Amen
The last time I repented and took a new course in
agreement with the holy spirit was about 2 months ago.where I needed to put away worldly wisdom and knowledge and completely surrender to his voice .
To serk his grace to have a forgiving heart .
I had to trust him to walk a uncertain journey with me that seems so hopeless and bleak at the time .
I know his faithfulness and love will always endure through every situation.
I love these wise and generous men of God. Two fine examples of listening to the Holy Spirit. So inspired by these stories and God’s Word. Thanks again.
I learn from this message that wisdom is a voice from God, freely available, loud and clear, for all who hear it. The path to sin is a quick fix for short term gain which invariably leads to self destruction.
I pray that I will gain clear understanding every day and be able to convey it to others to make a change in their lives.
Help me lord to always respond to the voice of wisdom and not get distracted with the noise so I can help those around me. Thanks Ps Allan
Thank you, for this.l, Pastor Allan. it is very important to be intentional in seeking wisdom, everywhere. Just last night, I was lovingly asking the Lord to make His whisper a little bit louder so I could hear.
This is timely.
God bless you and your ministry, Ps Allan.
Wisdom is something we can ask God for and know He will give it. This Godly wisdom certainly calls to us in so many ways, our life calling, the choice of friends and partner to the everyday little things, His wisdom is available and calls out loud and clear. If we would only listen for and follow the prompts of HS wisdom we would be astounded at what results.
Thank you Lord for your amazing wisdom in Jesus name, Amen.
I have soooooo many ideas about things I can do for God. My challenge is to listen to the Holy Spirit and wait for the green light so that I don’t end up taking on too much, become exhausted and burnt out and ineffective. So my question is usually” What can I do well?, Is what I am doing the most effective thing I can do and will it bring Him glory and not me?” Sometimes the answer has been “wait” and that can be hard to do.
Wisdom- “a gift from God given to those who ask for it.” This spoke to my heart today. Praying I daily be asking Him for His wisdom on everything and for every area of my life.
Communication is one of my top strengths, so I’m very grateful for the reminder that my words carry weight and that through stewarding the gift well I can help peoples “me” become a strong “we”. That’s a beautiful thought. Thank you Pastor Allan! These devotional are a blessing!
Thank you Pastor Allan for your prayer today. I want to be intentional in my life to do God’s will. That He continues to use me as He intended when I was still in my mother’s womb. That my heart will only do His bidding for His glory. I want to be that empty vessel waiting to be used. Thank you Jesus.
This is such a powerful thought – Lady wisdom stepping out unrestricted, an announcement that can’t be silenced!
I imagine in the street and markets it is busy bustling and moving quickly and The Lord realises our lives are this way but that doesn’t stop Wisdom from calling to us beckoning our attention to look up to notice what she is saying . Wisdom may be alerting us to injustice or need around or to alert us of danger on those streets . She raises her voice to be heard over the crowds therefore ignorance on our behalf is what might stop us from paying attention or being self absorbed in our busyness (social media , thoughtlessness etc) there is no let up of her announcement. She has importance in her words . God beckoning us to listen ! Amen
My prayer is in the busyness of life that I will listen for Wisdom as she calls aloud .
If we actively seek and listen for God’s wisdom through the Holy Spirit He will always direct our path.
For God is not trying to hide or keep anything good from his children.
As a Spirit filled believer we are privileged to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit who has all wisdom available to us if we ask humbly & earnestly. It cries out to get our attention throughout our communities ie in our streets & places of commerce pleading with us to listen because it is the best voice to heed! It’s voice will never cease because of the mercy & grace of God. It is then up to us to listen pray for communicate & stand for righteousness to those around us with wisdom understanding & compassion.
I can hear Jesus in the markets not upset but teaching guiding us
He send the Holy Spirit to us to do greater things to be the voice to be the light in darkness
I ask God to show me the place I need to use my voice in to bring glory and honor to Him.
How will the unsaved hear God’s voice if we don’t use it.
This is a good post. A daily act and posture of repentance and honest openness to the guiding of the Holy Spirit. An open heart available for direction and correction will always have the wisdom of God give direction.
Total dependence on the wisdom and whispers of the Holy Spirit will set my path on the right track always.
Listening to wise counsel.
I love when you said we need to diligently prepare like if God will not show up, and let God move like what we have prepare is nothing. There is the tension of living free of striving and striving for battle that God has set before us to grow. This
devotional reminds me I need to step forward with the promises God has put in my heart and repent for the doubts and fear I didn’t let go.
Thank you Pastor Allan for such I could explanation regarding attentive to wisdom and knowledge
I often find it helpful amidst the busyness of life to simply pause, take a deep breath, close my eyes, and rest in God’s embrace. It re-centres me, realigns my focus on what truly matters, and reminds me that God is always present—it’s just that I often fail to consciously tune in to Him. Taking these moments of stillness helps me reconnect with His constant presence and peace.