Proverbs 6:3 then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbour: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbour
I needed to apologise, but fear kept me trapped. Fear of admitting I had been wrong in my actions, and fear of the reaction and response from those I had hurt. I wrestled with God each day, negotiating, bargaining, pleading, and reasoning. I gained the odd moment of peace, as I argued my case with myself. But the weight of conviction sat on me, the knowledge that this was a defining moment for my character and my future was no help at all really. It was just hard.
Several times I came to the edge of decision and withdrew, my internal troops rattled by inexperience and fear.
Forming the decision to act was not easy. Eventually, I was there though. I knew that I could not camp here, I had to move on, regardless of the cost to me or my future.
In fear and trembling, with tears in my eyes, I made the move. It was really just basic obedience to God’s leading, as left to myself I would have run away and hidden, never dealing with the issues, and so stay trapped in the past. I would act out over and over.
But God had a better future in mind for me.
Repentance had its work in me, reconciliation took place, a new friendship was birthed and trust in God went “off the charts”.
A new habit was formed that would stand me in good stead for the rest of my life.
KNOWLEDGE
Recognition, repentance, and restoration.
Recognise the situation I am in, understand that I have made a mistake, and don’t allow pride or stubbornness to rob me of the first step to recovery.
Repent of the issues that caused me to make the mistake in the first place. Understand that in changing and agreeing with God, there may be some initial pain, but that is the pain of health, growth and liberty. While recognition is conceptual and internal, repentance is motional and both internal and external. The change that happens on the inside flows through to the attitudes and actions on the outside.
Restore whatever needs to be restored. This is the fruit of repentance. Say sorry, give back, confess, make amends, return and give back. Trust the leading of the Holy Spirit to guide you in this area, and head towards a place of peace.
This proverb deals with the issue of delay, or procrastination, of putting off difficult conversations or action. We are encouraged to tackle this head-on and to move quickly, to let nothing get in the way of this.
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 “plead urgently” in Hebrew is pronounced as “rahab” and is found 4 times in the Old Testament. This word is translated in the ESV into English as plead, overwhelm, and insolent. In our verse, we do pick up on the idea of rising up boldly and pressing ones’ plea.
WISDOM – what do you know you should do but have been putting it off and it’s affecting your peace?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Activator, you are not just talking, and you will help others gain the same breakthroughs you enjoy.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [so then dear child, rescue yourself, you are brought into the power of your associate. Walk in humility, boldly and urgently press your associate.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to take great care with my words and my decisions and to avoid the snare of pride or impulsiveness. Thank you
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