Day 4- Buzzer Beater
Since I focused on just the first part
of Proverbs 1 yesterday, I decided to reread the rest
of the chapter today and it just led right into chapter
2.
Reading the second half of chapter 1
really reminded me of something I’ve thought
about quite a few times before. In verses 20-33 the
Bible talks about how Wisdom calls out to us. The
people who turn and listen will dwell safely and be
secure without fear of evil. But those who refuse
to listen, who ignore the outstretched hand are promised
terror, destruction and anguish. It says when this
terror comes on them like a storm, those people who
refused the outstretched hand will now be calling
out and seeking diligently, but they will not find
because they did not choose the fear of the Lord (or
as we put it yesterday, respect and obedience to the
Lord).
When I first read it over, again I thought
wow, that’s way harsh! But then I thought about
scary life-threatening situations. Like if you’re
flying on a plane and something goes wrong and the
plane is dropping fast, everyone is terrified and
screaming and the pilot is preparing you for a certain
crash…. How do people react? Just about everyone
cries out prayers to God- “save me, save us!”
I’m sure a lot of those people went to church
a time or two, but probably only a few have an ongoing
communicating relationship with God. It’s a
final desperate act, like a buzzer beater in basketball.
Did you watch the last few seconds of the Butler vs.
Duke NCAA Championship game? Butler had a second left
on the clock and the player hurled the ball all the
way across the court “hoping” for a lucky
shot that would save the day and crown the team victorious.
That’s the same idea the last half of chapter
1 is talking about. God is saying to us, “I’ve
been here the whole time, waiting for you, calling
out to you, but you knowingly ignored me and turned
your back on me.” I’m not saying God can’t
or won’t save you in the finals moments of your
life, He’s more than able and willing, I just
want you to think about this question: Why are we
waiting until we come to some final desperate moment
in our life to cry out God?
It seems like in our fast paced instant
gratification society, these verses ring true because
I hear people talk about God and pray to God like
He is a genie in a bottle. Sorry to burst your bubble
people, that is so not the case. He is not here to
please you and make you happy and ensure you live
out the life you’ve dreamed of. That’s
Disney World not the real world. I even hear people
say well, I trust God to take care of the big things,
but I can handle the little things. If that’s
what you really think, than I wonder if you’ve
met God, if you’ve ever actually had a talk
with Him, or maybe it’s just been a long time.
Let’s take a quick look at who God is…
*Creator of heaven and earth
*Alpha and Omega (Beginning and the End)
*Author and Finisher of our faith
*Bread of life
*Savior
*Physician
*Prince of peace
*King of kings
*The way, the truth and the life
*Wonderful Counselor
*Teacher
*Light of the world
*Merciful and faithful
There a thousand ways to describe God, but what we
need to know is that He is the awesome almighty powerful
Creator of the universe and He is also the humble
carpenter that lived among men and was temped (but
found sinless) in all ways like we are. God is big
and awesome and Ruler on high, and He also understands
what we go through because He lived it. He doesn’t
just want to be called on like a servant when we want
something. He wants a relationship with us- a two
way street, not just us demanding stuff. Remember
He’s very much our Father. The more
I grow up, the more I realize how childlike I can
be with God, always telling Him what I want and what
I think I need and complaining when I don’t
get it. I forget to try and look at things through
His eyes. He is disciplining me and guiding me and
teaching me, perfecting me in His ways, not mine.
This all leads right into chapter 2
in Proverbs which makes the biggest statement to me-
we chose our path and we walk it. Let me make another
sports analogy… you can’t try to jump
off a 10 meter platform. You can’t dip your
toe in then ease yourself into the deep in. On a 10
meter platform, you choose. You either take the step
off the end, or you don’t. Same thing in chapter
2 with wisdom, you don’t just ask and get it
like an easy button. You have to take action. You
have to seek after it. You have to apply it. You have
to walk the path. And here’s the kicker- you
choose the path; you are responsible for your choice.
You can choose to walk the path and seek after God,
or you can choose to walk the other path. It really
is that simple. But it’s a daily choice, sometimes
several times a day, but it is always your choice.
I’ve heard people get mad saying
they don’t agree with the Bible because it says
there’s only one way to heaven. Well friends,
I’m sure glad God provided a way for us (because
He sure didn’t have to), and can you really
be mad at Him if you are the one refusing it?
Lord,
Thank you for helping me dig into Your Word tonight
as I struggled today to find consistency in my schedule.
But I found myself wanting all day to study and that’s
a desire I honestly haven’t had in a long time.
Thank You for reignited that desire, and Lord please
continue to lead me always back into Your Word! Sometimes
God I have a hard time with what I discover during
my reading and learning mostly because it’s
really convicting to my heart. But thank You for that
conviction because I know You are the Potter molding
me into who You want me to be. It’s not always
easy or comfortable being molded, but I desperately
want the finished product and not to be left where
I am right now. Thank You Lord for your mercy on me
when I stumble and Your grace that lifts me back up.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
