Proverbs 1:23 “if you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you”
Years ago as a young Christian I was reading my bible one night and I came across this scripture in Matt. 12:50 “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Somehow I perceived that God was encouraging me to try and make contact with my family – I had not seen any of them for 17 years, since I was 13 years old. I didn’t really know how to even start looking for my family, so I put a short ad in a local paper where my family had lived at one point. It turned out that three of my mum’s friends saw the personal advert, and sent her the cutout advert. My sister had just arrived back from 4 years travelling around the world and when she was ill in bed one night that very week decided to read the personal ads (something she said she had never done before). The outcome was that we were reunited as a family a few weeks later.
Fast forwards a few weeks and in church, on Sunday I was invited to tell the story of how I was reunited with my family. As I told the story I embellished it a bit, thinking perhaps that I would make God (and me) look even better. That night I felt God reproving me, and my peace was disturbed. It was a new experience for me in many ways. I knew that I had to correct this, and so I did that the next night. It was a bit of a humbling experience.
That night afterwards, when driving home, I experienced the presence of God in a new and very powerful way. I had never experienced joy like this, it was truly unspeakable. I felt God’s pleasure, and it was life-changing. Nothing in my life had ever felt like this. I knew God in a new way, truly. I had stuffed up and turned at His reproof, and He was true to His word.
KNOWLEDGE
Even in the worst storms of life, for the hardest hearted person, the person most set in their ways, or the person with the worst blind spots ever, there is a heroic figure on the beach that will throw them a lifeline and pull them hand over hand to safety. The only requirement is to make one fundamental change – recognise your need for help. There is a need to recognise your need to listen. A need for a need! You don’t know what you don’t know.
The writer’s heart is bared here after the previous verse cries out against the deafness and stubbornness of those who refuse to listen, we hear the remedy in this deeper cry. There is a way……. listen…… hear the voice of correction, it’s calling you to turn towards it, humble yourself, acknowledge your need. The second you hear and act, the rewards are beyond comparison. God will send His Spirit to gush and bubble, in and over you, to refresh and equip, to bring life and understanding of all that God’s says – God’s promise here is if you will listen and obey, then He will breathe on you. You will inherit the son’s heart, an insatiable desire for more of God and a sense of being alive that is indescribable. What’s stopping you from listening to God this morning?
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 we will look at is “pour out” which is pronounced as “naba” in Hebrew and has 11 mentions in the Old Testament. It is translated into English as pour out; bellowing; utter; bubbling; and, give [off]. In This verse, we see the idea of gushing and bubbling out.
WISDOM: What barrier is between you and the fullness of life that God has for you, what habit, behaviour or attitude do you need to let go of, turn away from, that will result in a refreshing like none other.
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Deliberative is a beautiful Executing Strength – you love to listen and listen well. You can see issues when they are still out of sight for others, as such you have “insight”. You are trustworthy and sensitive to confidentiality, understanding the value of waiting. You can help others see the “land mines” that sit behind their choices and decisions. Take time to help others understand the values you have and how you apply them.
P.S. – it is ok to give praise – especially when it’s well deserved!
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [do a one-eighty when you catch my thoughts, and I’ll immerse you in me in such a way as you will understand who I am through constant seeking]
PRAYER: Father thank you for today. Please help me as I meditate on you and your word and draw closer to you.
Turn at my rebuke:
In the rhythm of our life we have tendency to follow or carry on in the same mode of thinking and acting out.
When we take that turn of 180 degree, you begin to see, hear and understand the truth and God perspectives!
Holy Spirit is eagerly waiting to help us and we must cooperate with Him.
Wisdom will build us and the understanding will furnish our lives
The Word is alive and effective.
There is slogan used:
“
TOTALLY AVAILABLE ,RADICALLY OBEDIENT “
Thank you Allan for the prayer.
The previous verse asks” How long will you refuse to hear My voice?”
We learn to hear His rebuke and say, “ Father, help me. This situation is beyond me”.
We need to trust, obey and follow His words of wisdom. And His blessings will be poured out to us.
Thank you, Pastor Allan, for your message.
I’m reminded of my own experience where I had blown it by lying at work and how when convicted I asked God how I could make it right. As soon as I decided to obey the voice of the Spirit I also had a great sense of Him with me and over the next couple of days as I took the steps necessary what I got back was not what was due to me but rather amazement and disbelief that someone would step up and make things right. This is what life in fullness is about, a life of amazement at all He does in and through you.
Thanks Pastor Allan for sharing your life stories. You should write an autobiography. I would certainly buy it. God loves you so much. He never foresook you in the while that you were away from home. He knew it was time for you to return home. We all have our stories to tell. Our own journies to travel. Our ultimate goal is to find our way back to our first love. The love of God who first loved us and carried us through the hard times and brought us home when it was time. His timing is perfect. I have my own story and I thank God for his mercy on my life. Despite everything His unconditional for me and those who His call is an experience like no other. Blessings.
It’s such a powerful thing to humble yourself, learn and grow from your mistakes! “A need for a need! You don’t know what you don’t know”
Thank you Pastor Allan! Today’s devotional was insightful and helpful!
Deliberative is not one of my top strengths, however I have written down the key advice, As it was so valuable! And I will endeavor to do so with my team.
😊
How blessed we are to have such a merciful God who is so patient & kind to us in all our failings & weaknesses. When we mess up if we will listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit who will undoubtably convict us & humble ourselves & repent & do what is necessary to right our wrong how amazing is our Father God that He will show us His pleasure & kindness. He is so eager for us to walk in wisdom & righteousness because this is the very best way for us to follow & brings abundant life & He will help us in every way possible whereas those who are stubborn & will not listen & turn their backs on God will eventually suffer & will not flourish in life.
So thought provoking Allan. So many times I am my own worst enemy. It’s me that stops me flourishing the way God intends for me. I love the way you describe how God wants to lavish His love on me.., gush, bubble, to refresh and equip and give me understanding . Thanks again for sharing your God given wisdom
As I read this message I pray for revelation and I can hear this question is my heart ready? Through the hard times of the last few years God show me more than I could ever ask He is real and amazing so big words can’t interpret or describe Him
But to see a glimpse of Him He had to transform me but only when I repented and humble to Jesus and ask for help and let my heart be guided by the Holy Spirit only then He was everything and all I can say is Jesus is everything
Lord take my heart is yours and let your will be done and if it’s your will that we received a little of your wisdom that we can see it use it and bless others with your Presence.
Amen
In the previous verse we are told to either listen or ignore the voice of wisdom. Today’s verse tells us the benefits available should we chose to stop and listen. Wisdom will be poured out unto us Wisdom will give knowledge freely. As written in Gods word ” If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5
The more we read into the Proverbs the more its revealing and the more I see.
Proverbs 1:23 – If you repent (means 180% degree) & surrender to me, I will pour out my spirit into you, and the word will live in you. You will see the revelation of the word.
His open invitation to us
“Come and listen to my counsel,and I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise ”
God is merciful and gracious .he calls out to us in every stage of our lives to protect and keep us away from harm.
Wisdom is to be sensitive to his voice and calling and to surrender to him in all things .
He is faithful always and true to his promises.
I’m very thankful for his guidance in my life !
Importance of being aware of the presence and promoting g of the Holy Spirit. God is faithful in guiding our steps, reproving and leading us in the right direction.
Thanks again Ps Allan
God reproves me to prune my branches, so I can bear more fruit. His reproof and correction makes me feel uncomfortable but it leads me to bigger life and challenges me to grow. I love the fact that He doesn’t force us change but also never gives up on us to live the full life He wants us to live – He is an amazing father!