Hurricane Preparedness

"Because I called and you refused,
I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
And you neglected all my counsel
And did not want my reproof;
I will also laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your dread comes,
When your dread comes like a storm
And your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD.
They would not accept my counsel,
They spurned all my reproof.
So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way
And be satiated with their own devices."
Proverbs 1:24-31 (NASB)

Hurricane season will begin in a few short months here in Florida. Ads for hurricane shutters will start popping up everywhere as stores set up displays for generators and other storm gear of all kinds. But don’t expect crowds of shoppers to run out immediately to buy up all those goods!

No, the rush will begin the day a major storm starts heading our way. Then worried shoppers will descend on the stores, stripping storm gear from the shelves like a plague of locusts. The day the storm hits, many will still be vainly searching for last-minute supplies.

Everybody knows that the best time to prepare is before the storms come. That’s even truer of wisdom, because hardships, temptations and difficult decisions generally come upon us unannounced. It takes a heart attuned to God’s ways and His wisdom to respond with grace and confidence.

In this passage, wisdom personified gives us a solemn warning: The storms of life can arrive at any time. The time to stock up on wisdom is now!

Free for the Taking!

Wisdom shouts in the street,
She lifts her voice in the square;
At the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:
"How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded?
And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing
And fools hate knowledge?
"Turn to my reproof,
Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.
Proverbs 1:20-23 (NASB)

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse!” That has been a key principle of law since the days of Ancient Rome. Otherwise, it would be all too easy to commit an offence and then say, “I didn’t realize that was against the law!”

Our legal system assumes that citizens know the basic requirements of the law and that those involved in specialized activities like driving a car will get to know the rules that apply to those activities. The same is true of God’s wisdom.

God makes His wisdom freely available in His Word and even in the wonders of His creation. It’s up to us, however, to take it in.

Who wouldn’t want His wisdom? All too many people, it seems. There are those who are satisfied with being gullible, and who wear their naiveté like a badge. Others won’t accept anything that might challenge their cynical, wisecracking approach to life. Others simply hate to admit that anyone has anything to teach them.

How about us? The terms of the contract are so very simple. Are we ready to admit that we don’t know it all, and accept what God has to teach us? If so, He offers us access to His coffers to take all the wisdom we want!

If It Sounds Too Good to Be True…

My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.
Proverbs 1:10 (NASB)

As summer began, I went shopping for a canopy that we could set up in the back yard for a bit of extra shade. One ad referred to a canopy that “sets up in minutes.” In storm-prone South Florida, that sounded like a good thing! I was thinking five or ten minutes, though, and it actually took 20 to set up. Back it went to the store.

The second was smaller, but it really was made to be set up and taken down quickly. When I opened the box, though, I saw that it was poorly designed, poorly made, and missing some important pieces. Back it went to the store, too. I’m still looking for a canopy for the back yard, but now I know that a getting something that will last will cost a bit more than I originally thought.

The world around us constantly offers us seeming bargains of all kinds: Get rich quick at others’ expense through lawsuits and lotteries! Save money through “creative” tax returns! Get instant gratification through pornography, immoral relationships and all-you-can-eat restaurants! Buy now and pay later with a credit card…or better yet, declare bankruptcy and don’t pay at all!

Yet that kind of lifestyle brings unpleasant consequences. Selfish living results in broken relationships and broken reputations, lives full of bitterness and distrust. Those who hope to get ahead dishonestly ultimately pay a terrible price.

God’s way may not seem all that attractive at times, since the path of godly wisdom requires patience, discipline and self-sacrifice. But following His ways is the only path toward rewards that last.

No Prescription Necessary

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of understanding,
To receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice and equity;
To give prudence to the naive,
To the youth knowledge and discretion,
A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:1-7 (NASB)

A visit to the doctor’s office would hardly be complete without a reminder of the importance of proper diet and regular exercise. That’s advice that holds true as long as we draw breath! From infancy through advancing years, our physical health reflects our day-to-day practice in those areas of our lifestyle.

The first several verses of the book or Proverbs describe both the people and the purposes the book was written for. It’s meant to make us wiser and more discerning and to teach us to understand and follow wise advice. It’s meant to help us understand and benefit from proverbs, puzzles, and pithy sayings. It’s meant to help us behave wisely and fairly and well.

The Proverbs were written for wise people and simple minded folks, youngsters and old-timers. But there’s a condition attached: we must respect and honor God enough to accept the advice He has to offer us through His word and His people.

If we’re not too proud to listen and learn, the Proverbs offer healthy food for thought and a wisdom workout that will help us keep our hearts and minds healthy as long as we live.