Proverbs 19: Listening
Thursday, July 25, 2024
What happens if we decide that God does not exist, and we stop listening for the voice within that longs to serve and love us? The writers of Proverbs have anticipated that question, and they provide insight today.
Verses describing the poor and powerless versus the wealthy and influential ring as true today as they did when they were written. Practical advice about how to manager the differences between classes mixes with words to parents and others. Then the writer make a simple, clear suggestion about how to proceed.
Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor;
keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.
A wise heart and a clear head . . .
We remember that God’s Wisdom comes with active listening and patience. We also know that struggling against evil and hoping to win is often more than we can endure. Our energy flames out like the sparks that rise from a bonfire. The writers advise us in verse 19.
Let angry people endure the backlash of their own anger;
if you try to make it better, you’ll only make it worse.
So what then, do we do when confronted with evil and riddled with anxiety?
Once we pause to realize that we cannot combat the darkness on our own, we finally decide to relax into Christ’s open and willing arms. Once we recognize that the Spirit has more power than we do on our own, we are able to listen again for the voice that both guides and protects. Once we surrender to the Creator’s persistent hope and love, we decide that listening is the first step in open communication.
Toward the end of this Chapter, we find this bit of golden advice.
If you quit listening, dear child, and strike off on your own,
you’ll soon be out of your depth.
Once we determine to listen patiently and carefully, we find the calm in the storm that we have been so ardently seeking.
When we compare varying versions of these verses, we find the strength and wisdom to listen once again.
Images from: http://www.wakatipuchurch.com/2012/11/transformational-disciplines-prayer-with-ears/ and https://empowerfulgirls.com/2023/09/07/ep-073-listen-up-about-active-listening/
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