Intro: Yesterday, while viewing a few minutes of news during lunch, I was taken with a brief interview posted with injured professional soccer star, Megan Rapinoe, who stated the injury she sustained six minutes into her final game [before her retirement], “proves there isn’t a God.” Although I am sure she was disappointed she wasn’t able to play the whole game, her comments just struck me as incredibly arrogant and, most assuredly, foolish. What more does God need to do to prove His existence?
In Scripture, God tells us to ask for wisdom and the Spirit will bring it. If we choose not to acknowledge God or ask for His wisdom and instead reject His counsel and disobey His guidance, then how can we blame God or doubt His existence? Everything we say and do is a form of seed planted either in the world or in the Kingdom…a seed that will grow and produce either bitter or good fruit. Is God to blame for the seeds we choose to plant in the world? How we live our lives either draws us closer to God for love and protection or it leaves us eating misery because we have sown into our own selfish demands. Turning away from God is indeed foolish.
In our passage from the Book of Proverbs, wisdom calls out the foolish. We all face difficulties, trials, and tribulations during our lifetime; it is part of living in a fallen world. Far too many people have no respect for God. God has nothing to do with our sin; we are responsible for sin. But, God is still present, forgiving, and taking care of those who willingly desire what He has to offer. Trust the Lord and He will guide you into wisdom.
Proverbs 1:20-33 Living Bible
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets for a hearing. 21 She calls out to the crowds along Main Street, and to the judges in their courts, and to everyone in all the land: 22 “You simpletons!” she cries. “How long will you go on being fools? How long will you scoff at wisdom and fight the facts? 23 Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise. 24 I have called you so often, but still you won’t come. I have pleaded, but all in vain. 25 For you have spurned my counsel and reproof. 26 Some day you’ll be in trouble, and I’ll laugh! Mock me, will you?—I’ll mock you! 27 When a storm of terror surrounds you, and when you are engulfed by anguish and distress, 28 then I will not answer your cry for help. It will be too late though you search for me ever so anxiously.
29 “For you closed your eyes to the facts and did not choose to reverence and trust the Lord, 30 and you turned your back on me, spurning my advice. 31 That is why you must eat the bitter fruit of having your own way and experience the full terrors of the pathway you have chosen. 32 For you turned away from me—to death; your own complacency will kill you. Fools! 33 But all who listen to me shall live in peace and safety, unafraid.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for surrounding us with your presence and care. Help us to willingly yield to your work and ways, rather than demand our own way. We know arrogance is unacceptable to you. Thank you for patiently teaching us to live humbly in your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.