Proverbs 1:24 “because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,”
I think this scripture is alarming, in that it indicates a time when there are serious outcomes from our actions.
Of course, there are times when we do things that we kind of know are not the smartest, and then we get to walk through the consequences.
One night when I was about 26 years old I went out late at night, maybe 1 am on my motorbike. It was winter, the roads were a bit icy, but I was sure I would be ok. Although I do think there was a small still voice somewhere that was cautioning me not to go. Being young and invincible I went, no leathers, no helmet, riding my motorbike as I loved to do. We lived in a remote part of the Highlands, around 60km from the nearest town.
Hurtling around a tight bend at the top of a mountain pass I hit the ice, skidded and came off my motorbike. It’s around 1.30 am, in the middle of nowhere. I cracked my head on the cold road and when I eventually stood up I could feel blood trickling down my face and a whole numb part of my head that had scraped along with the tar. It was around minus fifteen degrees Celsius at least that night. I sort of knew I was in serious trouble. I had seen no cars on the road and there probably would be no car on the road till maybe 4 or 5 am.
But one old lady, who owned the local estate had heard what she thought was a gunshot, and thinking poachers were out taking her deer she set out to have a look, She found me, somehow got me into her car and took me to to the nearest building where they called for an ambulance.
How thin the ice we skid on in life, how thin a thread God sends to save us. The thin ice is our decisions, not our circumstances, and the thin thread is God’s ability to reach us in every situation, even when it seems impossible. There were no poachers that night, no gunshot. Yet she left the house and 30 mins later came across me, having just had the crash only a minute earlier.
KNOWLEDGE
Here we sense a different aspect of “if you will, then I will” building up – we are being prepared for an “if you will not, then I will” message from God. In previous scriptures, we have heard the type of attitude and actions that are contrary to the wisdom teaching, that mine a different vein than moral purity. We have sensed the imagery of the end of those who intentionally or even naively yet deliberately run against the teachings of wise holiness (moral purity).
This scripture refocuses our attention, this is no general rule, or expectation of outcome, rather the writer on behalf of God is commencing a direct communication, in today’s culture, it is a personal email or text to the individuals who are being described as simple, scoffers, greedy, those who ambush, sinners and blood shedders. Here we see the first “because” – now we are thrust into the realm of dealing with consequences that are immediate and heaven-sent. We have had clear warning, yet we have not listened – I’ve (God) done more than could be expected of me in trying to reach you – I have extended myself to the edge of what is possible. But there is absolutely no uptake, not even a glimmer of response. Stoic and hard-hearted deafness is the only response.
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 consider is “heeded”, pronounced as “qasab’ in Hebrew. This word is used 46 times in the Old Testament. It is translated into the following English words: listen; attention; incline; and, hear. In this verse we are being spoken to for “not taking any notice of, or attending to, the words of wisdom freely available to us from God”.
WISDOM: where in your life might God have been calling to you for a change of attitude, heart or behaviour, and what has been and what is your current response to that call?
Strengths Thought – Context is a beautiful Strategic Thinking Strength – don’t allow your thinking to have you “stuck in the past”, becoming someone who is always telling others about the “good old days”, unwilling to embrace any change. Recognise you can be stuck in the past and so miss the present. Rather use the past to generate understanding for the need for change. You can so easily avoid the repetition of mistakes, and at the same time be a champion for the enduring values that carry others towards success.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: m[you did not listen to my invitation, and totally ignored my offer to help.]
Prayer: Father thank you for today. Please help me to hear your call to me, to remain diligent to stay open to what you might want to say to me, and in every situation be expectant to hear your direction.
This aligns with Youversion’s verse of the day. “here I am, Lord, send me.” Is 6:8
Praise God for the lady in your story who responded to the call.
May I always be intentional to lean in, listening and obeying God’s voice, always willing to listen and go wherever, whenever.
Thank you Ps Allan for sharing God’s wisdom in you. May God bless you even more.
“The thin ice is our decisions not our circumstances, and the thin thread is God’s ability to reach us in every situation, even when it seems impossible.” Love how you’ve explained this and your story. I can Also can remember times in my life I’ve not listened to that quiet voice myself… appreciate the warning found in this verse.
“The thin ice is our decisions not our circumstances, and the thin thread is God’s ability to reach us in every situation, even when it seems impossible.”
God has reached me in every situation and I’m so grateful and thankful for all He has done. Thanks
I loved that idea of thin ice and thin thread – what a powerful story and message in that !
There have been times in my life ,that I have not paid attention to God’s calling,and ended up in a mess.
I have tried to find solutions to problems in my own strength to find me stumbling and going back wards,
I have come to learn that with God all things are possible ,
And to completely trust him in every situation.
He always wants the best for us,
In every situation he protects and saves .
Thanks Ps Allan. This has really challenged me to look at some areas of my life that need a bit of change of attitude, heart and behaviour. I never want to be stuck I want to always be continuously improving and moving forward and fighting for the right things.
What a testimony of The Lords hand of protection over your life.
Thank you Pastor Allan. I’ve asked myself the question where the Lord might me wanting me to change And attitude, heart or behaviour and I believe I’m better for it, seeing with greater clarity.
This is why we need to make decisions carefully, taking them and the circumstance to God, seeking Him or when we already know our “thin ice” to pause, reflect and redirect.
Turning a deaf ear to wisdom and God certainly does leave us on thin ice. Obedience is better than sacrifice! To obey the wisdom we have certainly does lead to life and Godly wisdom even more so. Thank God that if we do lack wisdom we only need ask and God will give it generously.
This verse shows me how incredibly patient & merciful Father God is with me. His love for me is overwhelming & why wouldn’t I want to know Him more & more & seek His wisdom & direction for my life. How foolish are those who blatantly ignore God’s ways because ultimately the ways of the fool will not end well.
How amazing is the Lord!
It’s marvellous to hear your story.
I can’t imagine an old lady coming to the seen in such odd hours itself is a wonder!
“The Lord alone is the protector of our life He protects us from all harm “Ps 121:7.
Praise God for saving you.
In life it’s important to be sensitive and attentive to what God is saying ! I have come to learn that when I listen to the voice of God in making decisions in my life the outcome turns out to be good.
I have made so many wrong choices in life but God’s has always been sufficient .
That is also my prayer
And in obedience to be alert to your calling me. Asking quickly for forgiveness and to ask quickly for help , in making changes in my life , my behaviour or attitude that needs correcting . Help me lord to be teachable and to not be offended when my behaviour or attitude needs correcting .
What should you let go of today? Where can you bring the best and most fruitful influence? Good questions Allan
So good Allan! Glad you made it out safely from that motorbike accident. Crazy Accident!!
Such a wake up call for us to know the flashing lights and warning signs that are before us when we are heading in the wrong direction. I know sometimes I definitely don’t always listen to that still quite voice, I need to get better at it for sure.
Praying that the loudest voice would hear and listen to would be the voice of God.
Much Love.
Allan
I believe it was no accident that you were assisted by that lady after your cash.
My experience is that God loves us so much he often puts people in our live at key times to assist. I totally agree there are times when we have to walk through the consequences of our actions.
As I get older I also see this as a fork in the road that taken in the right direction allows us to get closer to the lord.
What I take from this growing up in a country where just walking the wrong way could get you killed and you create a mechanism of survival where no error can be made but it gets to a point that this actions would not allowed you to see or hear God but just to pray and ask for help
But years later you realise that he was there all the time walking and protecting you all alone in so many ways and finally you give up and give it all to him
Thank you Ps Allan
Thank you Jesus
Thankyou for a really powerful insight into this verse Allan.
I was having a conversation with someone today about something similar to what you have mentioned in this verse.
God grants us direction, wisdom, strength, peace etc. if we listen to and seek these things humbly and wholeheartedly from Him. However, if we rely on our own ways and make decisions that we know go against His there are consequences.
This is so powerful,
Im reflecting to my last 5 weeks. Something that happened in my personal life and I was greatly disappointed with actions that where taken. Its lead me with bitterness in my heart. I’ve come to terms with myself ‘not’ to forgive and be stubbin, yet I’ve been getting messages from the spirit with dreams & random people saying things and even to a point where a sermon right infront of me was being preached and the message I know was directly at me.
NOT LISTENING lead me to nothing but self harm with anxiety every morning and being depressed.
Reading Proverb 1:24 has lead me to understand his arm is still stretched out for me even when my pride has got in way and the bitterness is choking me up on the inside everyday. I have to surrender and forgive and listen to Gods words as it will set me free and ill be healed.
I pray father that you forgive me of my pride and my bitterness as im not better then anyone and I am nothing without your only begotten son Jesus who came and died on the cross for our sins and restored our relationship with you father and is our mediator, Our King Our Lord. I forgive that person and I pray that they are sent many blessing and they receive a peace from heaven that words can not describe. Amen
God cares a lot about what we do and why. He rebukes and corrects. Not an ideal way to live and do things our own way as they are painful consequences
Thank you Allan for sharing your personal stories and making the scripture real and practical.
We all have disobeyed God’s prompting. Thank God for His mercy and grace.
Excellent read Allan. Especially appreciated the comment on thin ice being our decisions, not our circumstances.
Our circumstances are out of our control (mostly), but our response to them is well within our control.
I’ve been challenged in my behaviour and attitude recently, with a lot of scripture pointing this out. It went against who I was, but directed me towards who God is. A tough lesson, but a necessary one.
Love this insight Levi!
It’s challenging to ask myself how I should change when my ego and pride tell me to tell others to change. I want to keep my heart pure by asking God and people around me for things I need to change to be able to grow and step forward.
Having accountability partners is a great but uncomfortable place to live!
what a mighty God we serve…he so compassionate…the way he organised a woman is to safe you is amazing pastor … Thank you for sharing the consequences of not hearing the fine voice of our Lord