MORNING MANNA 2-5-23
“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels;”–Prov. 1:5
As a boy one of the most irritating things I heard was, “I told you so!”, or “Didn’t I tell you?” And as a father to eight I have often dropped that bomb on my kids. I didn’t want to hear it and I’m sure my children felt the same, but sometimes we all need reminders like that. Being forced to face our failures can be a good, although unpleasant, thing. Especially when we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Thinking about this, I can’t help but wonder what God thinks when we turn a deaf ear to His instructions and warnings. Although He speaks out of the depths of His great wisdom and glorious love we tend to ignore what He says– to our own detriment. In doing this we deprive ourselves of His blessings and expose ourselves to great danger. Foolish indeed!
Whether as a child or a Christian I’m sure we can all look back and think of those times when we wish we had listened. And that reminds me of another one of the least favorite things my parents said–“When are you going to learn to listen?” Yeah, I bet you’ve heard that too. And you probably responded just like I did– with a blank stare. But it is actually a good question and worthy of our consideration. When will we learn to listen? After we’ve humiliated ourselves? Hurt ourselves? Harmed others? Hit rock-bottom? Would we not be better off to listen and learn?
God has given us competent counsel, clear commands, wise warnings, and precious promises. He demands that we listen and He deserves to be heard. If we refuse we have only ourselves to blame for the outcome. If we listen and learn we have only God to praise. Without His aid we neither would nor could do as we should. God still speaks today, and “A wise man will hear–“. Are you listening?—HDS, 1-8-14
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.
