Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Proverbs 1:20-33 (ESV)
The Call of Wisdom
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; 21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? 23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, 27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind when distress and anguish come upon you. 28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30 would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, 31, therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. 32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; 33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
When have you heard wisdom crying to you recently?
How people have turned their backs on You. You have been taken out of schools, out of workplaces, and out of our society. You have given us wisdom from Your Word and it is ignored, sneered at, and laughed at. Like a slippery slope, allowing sin to infiltrate our main institutions and government has eaten away at the foundation of good, it has dulled our eyes and hardened our hearts. But, when really bad things happen, disasters strike and troubles brew, they know to call out to You for help. They say “where is God?” when things go wrong. But You have backed away and let society get what it asked for and live in the evil world they wanted. There are consequences to all actions, good and bad. Lord forgive me for when I was complacent, for not paying attention to what was going on in the schools, media, government, and even churches. Forgive me for not becoming actively involved and allowing others to push you away without even a fight. Lord, You promised Abraham that you would not destroy a city with even 10 good people in it. There are many more good people who love and honor You and follow Your Word. Lord have mercy on us. I trust that You are listening to our prayers. You are exposing evil and what we allowed to happen in our society and as a result, they are fighting back. You promised that if I seek You with all my heart, I will find you. Light the fire of Your Spirit to burn strong in my heart so that I can have compassion without sacrificing Your truth. Sharpen my Spiritual eyesight with eyes that see and ears that hear You. Help me listen to you to stand up and not compromise Your principles. Let me be strong and courageous and get involved where decisions are being made that destroy morality. Fill us and leaders who are fighting the evil with Your wisdom. Allow them to recognize evil plots. You said that if we listen to you, that we can be safe and secure without fear of disaster. Speak Lord and help us to listen. Come back to a prominent place in our society, destroy the consequences of evil, and let us all find Your truth and love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.