September 26, 2001

Reading: Proverbs 1:28-33

 

“But whoever listens to me will … be secure, without fear of evil” (33).

 

The beginning of our reading teaches us a very solemn lesson, “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me” (28, 29). These words remind us of the Lord’s words, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24). There are many seekers but few finders, and our reading tells us why: “Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD. They would have none of My counsel and despised My every rebuke” (29, 30). The “narrow gate”, of which our Lord speaks, is the knowledge and fear of the Lord, and is obtained by heeding His counsel and rebuke.

This concept is usually applied to the unsaved who seek to find God through their own ideas or by any means other than through Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). But it also speaks to me of the Believer who also does not pursue the knowledge of God or does not choose the fear of the Lord. How many of us will not listen to His counsel and despise His rebuke? How often have we said, “I prayed and prayed, but God did not answer me”? Do you ever envy the joy of the Lord you see in other Christians and wonder why you do not have it? You have never experienced that peace which passes all understanding even though you could use it right now?

May I suggest the reason you are not enjoying your Christian life is because you do not choose to fear the Lord? You do not listen to His counsel and you find yourself fighting Him when He chastises and rebukes you? These are questions we have to answer honestly before God. We may be able to fool others and even ourselves, but you cannot fool Him who knows our every thought and intent. Sometimes we are so intent on solving our problems that we cannot hear the Lord when He speaks to us. Do your fear the Lord? Do you reverence Him in your heart? Yes, you may answer, I love the Lord. But listen, that was not the question, “Do you fear the Lord and hold Him with the utmost reverence in your heart?” Does the fact that He is the Sovereign Creator of the universe keep you from sinning? When you consider what He has accomplished for you, do you want to pursue the knowledge of Him? Does the realization that He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords encourage you to listen to His counsels? We are not supposed to quake in terror when we approach God because He has invited us to do so boldly and without fear.

We must learn how to listen to Him and to recognize His voice when He speaks to us. This ability usually comes as we spend regular time in prayer and Bible reading. The more sensitive we are to Him the more we will know when the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Listen to His promise, “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil” (33).

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt: 6:33). It is impossible to choose the fear of the Lord and His kingdom and righteousness and to be ignored by God. The only thing we have to do is seek Him in the way He has designated; through the Lord Jesus Christ, reverencing Him in our heart and heeding His counsels. He is faithful that promised and we will dwell safely, secure and without fear of evil.