The value of listening (3)

'The value of listening to God's wisdom is tremendous', I wrote in my previous blog post.

In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is calling and because Jesus is the wisdom of God for us (1 Corinthians 1:30), I feel free to say that it is Jesus beckoning us.

Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise (Proverbs 1:23).

Jesus wants to share His heart 💗 with us and make us wise. We would be insane to say no to His invitation, wouldn't we?

Of course, from a human point of view, we can go to school, study, and learn all we want... but in a sense we will just gather knowledge and more knowledge. There is nothing wrong with that, but true wisdom is divine in nature.

According to the writings in the book of Proverbs, listening to wisdom (listening to Jesus, to His Word, to the Holy Spirit) has great benefits indeed. I love how that first chapter ends (Proverbs 1:33),

But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.

I just love that and I receive that word in my heart! Listening to all the voices in the world screaming for our attention will make us restless, worried, distressed, and fearful. Listening to Him will give us peace!

The value of listening (2)

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance (Proverbs 1:5).

The book of Proverbs is just as much about wisdom as it is about listening. And with that, I mean listening to God's voice. His voice in the written Word (the Bible) just as much as in the spoken Word (through the Holy Spirit).

King Solomon wrote and compiled most of the sayings in the book of Proverbs with the purpose of providing wisdom,  understanding, and discipline. He often addressed his son(s) or his children.

Now, it would be wonderful if we would read these saying as if God, our Father, is addressing us (which is exactly the case). Every time a sentence starts with 'My child', we should lean forward and listen.

The value of listening to God's wisdom is tremendous. As a matter of fact, 👉In 1 Corinthians 1:30, it is written that Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God for us. So, in reality, Jesus is speaking to us. I realize that needs a little adjustment in our thinking since wisdom is portrayed as a female in the book of Proverbs. But I am sure you get the point I am making.

Let's go back to the first chapter, verse 23. Wisdom is calling, → Jesus is calling!

Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise.

Jesus wants to share His heart with us and make us wise. I love it! What an invitation to sit at His feet and listen. Our response should be: 'Yes, here I am, I am listening.'

The value of listening (1)

Too many chiefs and no Indians. When we were in the USA, I have heard people say that often. I would like to give that saying a twist:  Too many talkers and not enough listeners.

Now, if the world would just be filled with listeners, it would get awfully quiet (well, we might finally hear the birds!). Of course, there is nothing wrong with talking... but we want our words to count, right?

Let's be honest here, there is way too much foolish and obscene talk, way too much lying and manipulating, and there are way too many useless words spoken. Let's make it our goal to speak truth with power!

👉I truly believe that being an influential speaker starts with listening. That is, listening to God's voice, to His words (I am still learning!). And since we are kind of losing the art of listening, I decided to do a blog series on the value of listening.

I will base this series on several verses in the Book of Proverbs and I will be using the New Living Translation (NLT) in case you want to read along. The short posts will surely inspire and encourage you and maybe even ignite a deeper longing to sit at His feet and listen. I hope you will join me. Proverbs 1:5 says:

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance.

Living in or running to the shelter?

In my previous post (Crush that serpent!) I wrote that Psalm 91 is one of my favorite psalms. I keep finding new insights, truths, and wisdom there 😁. Don't you love it when that happens?

I mean, let's take verse one... If you read the Bible regularly, you should know this verse.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Some translations say 'those who dwell in the shelter...' It is a verse of promise and comfort and safety. I love to meditate on those words.

Then, the thought came to me 👉the shelter of the Most High is not a place we run to when in trouble, when afraid, or when panic hits.

No! It is a place where we live, a place where we dwell continuously. It is a permanent place. It is the only place where we will find rest, but not when we have the habit of rushing in and out.

When in trouble, danger, or pain, everyone calls for God (even if it is using swear words) and He is so loving and gracious that He will come to the rescue. But His true will for us is that we live in His shelter, that we dwell in His presence.

It is kind of what I wrote in my post Rush or linger? a few weeks ago. I want to leave you (again) with that thought: Does He have a permanent place in your life?

Crush that serpent!

Psalm 91 is one of my favorite Psalms, I must have read it hundreds of times. The words always encourage me, boost my faith, and ease my worries.

The best thing is that I still find new insights while contemplating the ancient words of wisdom. The other day verse 13 caught my attention:

You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

This verse is, of course, about spiritual warfare. This verse is about us silencing the voice of the enemy (in the Bible Satan is depicted as a serpent and compared to a roaring lion). This verse is calling all of us to take action. I have read it many times before.

But this time the word fierce stood out for me. We will not just crush any lion or serpent, but fierce ones! That are ferocious, vicious, aggressive, brutal, and relentless ones. No matter what kind of attack the devil brings our way, we will set down our foot and crush his stupid efforts.

Jesus said to His followers: I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you (Luke 10:19). So, the writer of Psalm 91 must have had a prophetic vision about the ins and outs of spiritual warfare. I love that Jesus refers to what was already written in the Tanakh (what we call the Old Testament).

Throughout the Bible we see people dealing with the issue of spiritual warfare, don't be mistaken. The apostle Peter has quite a serious warning for all believers. Let's take it to heart.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith (1 Peter 5:8-9).

We are called to stand firm against the enemy (not people, but the devil), to trample and crush him under our feet! Think about that if you are feeling attacked by godless situations and circumstances. Jesus gives the orders, not the enemy!