Proverbs 1:26 “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you”
When you are out as a family or with friends which one of you can’t help laughing when you see other people fall? Do you watch the fail videos on social media?
I’m usually really sympathetic when I see someone fall, but on a few occasions, I have struggled to keep a straight face.
Over 40years ago, one winter evening in the UK I was sitting up on the top deck of a local bus, the roads were covered in snow, it was just getting dark. The bus stopped to let people on and off. One lady got off and was carrying two bags of groceries. There were a lot of people getting on the bus, so she walked around the front of the bus, to try and cross the road.
She slipped and fell forwards, both arms straight out in front of her, and all the groceries scattered across the slush and in front of the oncoming traffic. Seconds later cars ploughed through her shopping, packs of cereal burst open, vegetables were squashed, and toiletries scattered.
I felt so sorry for the lady, thinking she would have hurt herself, be totally soaked, and maybe have no dinner and have no groceries to take home. But, then I started having uncontrollable fits of giggles. I had to get off the bus at the next stop, even although I was still far from my destination, as I just could not stop laughing.
I don’t like myself very much for laughing and I think today I would hope to have a different and more compassionate response.
However, I don’t think this type of situation is what God is talking about. The language the writer is using here is descriptive and filled with imagery, perhaps today we would not read this literally, rather it helps us capture a feel for the overall picture. Actually, it seems like there is a sense where God is not fazed by all the awful plans, he is never taken by surprise by the wickedness, and all the scheming and plotting will come to nothing. The lasting damage will really be inwards on the perpetrators, as all their energies will bring them to a very hard end. On reflection, we may consider allowing this scripture not just to bring caution, but also to stir our compassion
KNOWLEDGE
Is there a poetic frame here, that God is scoffing at those who scoff at his ways and in essence at him? The promised outcome is upon the person who has intentionally disregarded Godly counsel and has continually gone their own way to the significant detriment of many others.
These others then have been left broken, drained and hurt in their wake. Now comes the day on the perpetrator, the day when everything starts to unfold, when they know the same fear that they have continuously inflicted on others, and when they see disaster all around. Can the person who has hardened their heart against God over and over for years, suddenly have a soft heart and receive from God, or are they a prisoner in the cell of their own making?
How do we now reach out for our New Testament understanding to bring this scripture into our worldview? Is the thief on the cross a one-off story or a doctrine? (Luke 23:42-43) And he said. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”.
Whatever we individually think, there is a certain shock value in reading this scripture, it somehow shocks any idea of an easy-going God. These words propose a different aspect and glimpse of something we have not yet encountered. We are called to stop and think – to investigate – to meditate – and not to procrastinate in our continually being open to the whisper of God each day.
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 that grabs my attention here is “calamity” which is pronounced ” ‘eyd” in the original Hebrew. This word appears 24 times in the Old Testament and is translated into English as destruction; disaster; and calamity. In this verse, we pick up on the idea of a great misfortune involving destruction.
WISDOM: is there anything in Scripture that you are wilfully disregarding today?
Strengths Thought – Significance is a beautiful Influencing Strength – don’t be the “look at me, am not I amazing” person, singing your own praises, thinking and believing that everything is always all about you, stop hogging the spotlight, you will end up losing the very thing you are pursuing. Understand that it is important to you that what you do counts, ensure your team get the credit when success comes knocking, and use your strength to stand up for others when it really matters. Commit to bringing the best out of those around you. Let your actions speak louder than your words.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [the mess you have made of your own life won’t cause me any concern at all, rather I will be amused by you, and ridicule you when your worst fears start to take hold of your life.]
Prayer: Father, thank you for today. Help me please to live wholeheartedly for you, regardless of circumstances and situations.
Sometimes we think we are so smart and have life all figured out and I’m sure the Lord has a little laugh. He is the author and perfector of life and He does know what is best for us. His plans are to prosper and bless us but too often we think we know better.
Lord, may I always cast aside my human thinking and planning in place of the divine so I can live your will and not those of flesh in Jesus name, Amen.
Wow there is a lot to think about in today’s readings but two things stand out for me. Nothing takes God by surprise and champion those who try to avoid the praise for their brilliance but avoid the limelight. I see so often those people overshadowed by those who are full of themselves and demand the spotlight for themselves but who are not deserving of it. I also often wonder about those who seem to deliberately harden their heart to the things of God….. so much to think about today Allan. Bless you for sharing….,
There have been many times in my work, especially with FDV and victims of SA that I wished ill upon the perpetrators and have had to remind myself that they are still loved by God even though He hated their wicked deeds and had to recognise the potential for fostering hatred in my own heart and guard against self righteous pride.
Thank you pastor Allan for this beautiful prayer.
Inspite of our situations nd circumstances to humble ourselves before Him to fully surrender and trust in Him.
To live whole heartedly for Him!
This speaks so powerfully to me personally,
To have my heart and eyes fixed on Him and not my circumstance,
Which is a daily effort and prayer for me.
To remember that in all He has remained faithful and true to his promises to me .
He constantly rescues us from the traps the enemy sets for us .
I’m thankful for his unfailing love and grace to me .
This is Golden:
“The lasting damage will be really be inwards on the perpetrators, as all their energies will bring them to a very hard end. On reflection we may consider allowing this scripture not just to bring caution, but also to stir our compassion.“
There’s a responsibility to look inwardly at ourselves and be stirred and moved!
We often thought, learn and used to question everything according to ‘our world view’ as we grow ‘wiser’, specially when you grow up in different belief! When you do get saved see God as loving, kind and forgiving father, how ever these type of scriptures reminds us when God stretch out his hands and if continued to disregard his wise council then their are consequences.
I am so grateful for this journey through Proverbs Pastor Allan. It is a big reminder of who I was and who I am now. I think God who has allowed us to have free will is His way of teaching us a lesson about life. That we need to exprience life without Him to appreciate life with Him. I am so grateful that He chose to open my eyes to see the light. His timing is perfect.
‘Pride comes before a fall’ is a very true saying & so the need for me to stay humble is so important. Sadly people who harden their hearts against the ways of the Lord lose out in the long run. We ourselves are so blessed to know God because it’s only by His grace there go I. It’s a constant reminder when you get too big for your boots that it’s the most likely time you will fall flat on your face (not referring to the poor lady of course Allan in your story!)
To me this verse shows that our God is fair.
I don’t believe you can knowingly disregard God’s word and go against His ways continually and expect good outcomes, there is always consequences to what we sow. Oftentimes it is more difficult in situations to follow and listen to God’s word rather than easily allowing our sinful nature to take control.
However, whilst it is more difficult to take the higher moral road it is always more rewarding and to me that is evident in this verse.
Thanks Allan. I love the imagery of this. Kind of reminds me of those “I told you so moments”, but in this case God knows exactly what’s going on and the future at hand. Love this line “it somehow shocks any idea of an easy going God.” re-awakens the idea that yes God is love , but He is also God Almighty, the Great God who is sovereign.
Hi Allan
This verse has effect me when I first read it, so the more I looked into it i ask the question, where does Grace go ?
I Know its the Old Testament But even in the New Testament Hebrews 10: 26 -31
26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Basically saying it will be worst, yet I don’t know one human that hasn’t re sinned. If someone tells me they haven’t sinned and known is a liar. Straight-out.
Then we go back to Romans 3:23-24- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Allan i think this is a verse I need help with and want to ask ? Is it God speaking or is It (she) Wisdom talking. Proverbs 1:26 if not read right can throw you of the righteous road easy because we all fall, even to a point we know its wrong yet we fall into doing it because our flesh rises time to time.
Paul himself who was hand picked from Jesus to preach the word even says in Romans 7:14-15
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Anyways my thoughts on this verse hope to hear the responses to my thoughts.
I pray Jesus that you send the Holy Spirit the greatest teacher to guide me in time of need to get the revelation of your word that I can’t seemed to understand which is making me struggle to understand and letting more questioning about our faith. Amen
No and not consciously ignoring any of God’s word I love this post.
Thank you for this study. Eye opener on so many levels
If I fall God will lift me up just like he had done many times. I can’t see people getting hurt is sad and scary but which I could do more and maybe there it is where God will be amused knowing that He haces everything to move mountains but we struggle to saw a seed.
Thank Jesus for your greatest sacrifice may we learn to lift others the way you lift us up.
Another personally confronting message
My opinion
Most people tend to laugh at situations lime this first then To me it’s how they react Afterwards
Hopefully in these situations the only hurt is the pride a
There is indeed shock value within this passage which highlights for me the amount of work to be done
But gods grace keeps on and on “regardless of the situation or circumstances “
More food for thought for me
“ We are called to stop and think – to investigate – to meditate – and not to procrastinate in our continually being open to the whisper of God each day.” Very challenging thoughts. I’m grateful that we have the God whispers in order to do this well. Thank you Pastoral Allan
I can’t laugh at others pains sometimes just feel it’s wrong and yes hope that God has mercy on my soul if I had. I pray I can take the calamities and grow from them and be Abel to understand why are they happening
Jesus thank you for your Mercy