Proverbs 4:2 “for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching”
God works in surprising ways. I remember a lady that I was in touch with (I’m sure she would not mind me telling this story) who was going through a fairly tough season. The sort of final straw was when her car broke down and the repairs outweighed the value of the car. I really felt that this was so unfair and asked if maybe we could help. We have a friend who is a mechanic and we asked him to have a look at the car. He did and thought maybe we could get it fixed.
So we got some parts and fitted them. But then it turned out that there was a deeper electronics issue that was very expensive and even then may not completely fix the car. I was gutted, and when I called the lady to let her know the outcome, she was very gracious.
I did think that this was quite a setback for her and her family. At the end of the conversation I mentioned to her that very occasionally someone in the church has a car to give away and will get in touch, so I said we should pray along those lines.
After we prayed I hung up I sat for a few moments, reflecting and continuing an internal prayer.
Then I set myself to get back to work and opened my emails. The very first email was from someone I had never had an email from before asking me if I knew anyone in the church that needed a car. There was a picture of the car on offer and some details. I called them, verified the cars details, availability and location.
Then I called the lady I had prayed with back – I think the whole thing had taken maybe five minutes since our last call. I said, “you are never going to believe what has just happened!”. (Isn’t it odd that I would say that, after praying!)
I told her the story, I think she started crying, which set me off as well. It’s amazing what can happen in one phone call.
God’s ways are not my ways, and I have no idea really what He is going to do, or when He will do it, but it’s a great joy when he includes me in the process.
KNOWLEDGE
Proverbs 4:2 is linked back to 4:1, the call to listen intently is now adjoined to the connecting provision.
God will provide the most pleasing, delightful and valuable information, instruction and insights that cannot help but demand, yes call for, a response and a commitment on our part. God will do this continually, not simply as a one-off event. This input from God carries weight and value and can be taken with us wherever we travel in life, physically, emotionally and mentally. There is a call for us to recognise the need to remind ourselves daily. Don’t leave this behind, don’t hide them away where they can be forgotten. There is a decision for us to declare, a purpose for us to partake in, and a commitment for us to cling to – that we will listen, understand and then apply wholeheartedly.
As the New Testament qualifies this in Matt 4:4 “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” which itself is drawn from the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 8:3 “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD”.
Since the beginning of our relationship with God in the Garden of Eden the contest has been, will we listen to God.
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?
“Precepts” is an old fashioned word, in Hebrew, it is pronounced “leqah” and this word is found 9 times in the Old Testament. In the ESV it is translated as teaching; doctrine; learning; precepts; speech; and, persuasiveness. God will teach and instruct us, all the while positioning us to learn.
WISDOM: what’s the last thing God has said to you, and what have you done about this?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Communication draws you to the important messages in life. You bring insight to others, bring them into the conversation as well.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [God bestows and ascribes to us constantly, delightful thoughts and words of learning for every day. Do not relinquish, abandon, reject, or leave these delightful thoughts and words.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to remind myself every day of the delight and life that is in your words, and to position myself there purposefully, intentionally, and whole-heartedly.
I so love feedback – please do scroll down and use a few moments to bless me?
Thank you pastor Allan. We have experienced that God’s ways are higher than our ways. When he closes one door- a better door opens always.
Thank you so much
Hi ps Allan ; thx u for God Word ; well in my journey in God ; pray is the more strong key
So many times I asking helping in that way I can see the hope ; Healing ; provide ;peace and grow in wisdom .
God bless
Thx u
God’s words are a great encouragement and as ‘words of affirmation”person are like honey to my soul.
Love that so much. Love hearing how God works. I am so happy things worked out for her. Praise God!
There is a decision for us to declare, a purpose for us to partake in, and at commitment for us to cling to – that we will listen, understand and then apply wholeheartedly.
Listening and applying – wow! So good!
“ its a great joy when he includes me in the process.”…. this made me smile, it is always such an honour and so much fun when He takes you along with him on His ways especially when you get to be part of seeing someone get blessed
I always love hearing the testimony about the provision of the car. It increases my faith every single time. Amen
Thank you, God is good, I’m greatful for all the times that God steped in and did a wonderful thing. They are the things I remember when I feel down or facing hard times.
Thanks Pastor Allan. God is so full of wonderful surprises. He always provides beyond what we ask for and more.
I know often God speaks to me about the small things. I willingly ask him to show me how to approach a situation or a person and he always intervenes when my heart is right. There are times I need to be silent and others when he gives me just the right things to say. And I’m so grateful for those times . And when I reflect on that, those small things lead to the big things in our lives eg our attitude , our convictions to stand on , our thoughts , our flesh fighting our spirit and so on.
Allan your strengths thought really assures me of something God uses in my life Often . As the bridge between people and communication from God and with others , I know restores relationships Amen. Thank you
Thank you Ps Allan. I really got for encouraged by this. Such a powerful testimony about the car. Love hearing storys like this.
I really love your strength thought- Communication draws you to the important messages in life. You bring insight to others, bring them into the conversation as well.
Such an amazing story, the power of prayer and God’s ways never cease to amaze me !
“God will teach and instruct us, all the while positioning us to learn.”
I love that testimony of the prayer of faith and proclaiming then have a internal prayer!!!
I travelled to India from Sydney with 280kg books in boxes, my mother in law (mum)and myself boarded in SQ flight. Mum had pre arrangements with the airline as well as Chennai airport with police officers escort when landed in India. Well all went according to plan. Next night all these boxes were in the train and after about 9hours there is a short stop at our destination. The question is how are we going to take out 18 boxes and two suit cases, when we get down?
Mum always asks me to pray for favour/ success etc. I couldn’t sleep through the night though we had berths!
About 5 am our get down station stopped. A good looking young man quickly and efficiently unloaded all items to the platform! We were eager to say thank you but couldn’t see him.
Was he an angel?
We had the best travel in-spite of all those items.( All these books were for the adult education School in various areas!)
…The Lord is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance (Isa28:29)
Thank you Allan. So blessed to have the deeper understanding!
Ps: please erase if any of my comments irrelevant and I am correctable, teachable and guidance I pray!
Wow what a blessed lady Pastor Allan!!
How GOOD is Our God!! He knows our needs before we even ask!
In this verse I see it’s a call to again listen up & really hear God’s teachings for they are proven & the best instruction you will ever receive! There is no one more qualified to teach me than Him so why would I bother forsaking them & looking elsewhere! They are sound strong solid & reliable doctrine & will enhance my life if I follow them & trust God in my daily walk. They hold the key to living a righteous life & serving Him & others with many blessings along the way.
God indeed surprises me on a daily basis …..Recently (in my secret place) I actually questioned one day as to why He has stood by me after my misgivings and I was surprised by his clear answer ….. never will I question again
Daily reminders of his love greet us constantly and I’m guilty of taking the little things for granted
Gods positioning of me to learn took along time for me to listen and to understand
Gods plans far outweigh our own
If something dosent go our way or we think We should have got that job or that pay rise we should be praising god for giving that to someone else because he has bigger things for us
This message reminded me of this verse
Deu 6:6-9 NKJV – 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Often specially with kids
God is the best Teacher I could ever have. His plans for me and His decisions are better than any I could make on my own. In every situation we need to listen to His voice and follow His instruction. I pray that I will listen to His word and put it into practice every day.
love that God cares about everyday stuff in our lives – like the need for a good car. God always has our best in his heart
God continues to teach us ,guide us and lead us to his promises .
This season of my life has been to wait on him .to trust Him with all my heart and to lean not on my own understanding!.
Thank you pastor Allan
Wow! God is so good and always faithful .
He is our provider, His name is JEHOVAH JIREH, God of provision. He is well able
GOD is just amazing ! 🙂