Receive Instruction

Friday nights at Calvary Chapel Sydney we have been slowly working our way through the book of Proverbs.  Eternity will not provide enough time to plumb the depths of God's wisdom, but it has been fun diving in.  One passage which was especially useful for me this week was Proverbs 24:30-34:  "I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; ³¹ and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. ³² When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: ³³ a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; ³⁴ so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man."

Solomon looked upon the fruit of laziness with a keen eye.  He did not do as many of us would do, sneering or shaking our head at the state of the lazy man's neglected property.  The state of the vineyard spoke volumes.  Solomon did not waste time or energy judging the man at all.  He did not offer suggestions on what he would do to rectify the situation.  When Solomon saw the overgrown vineyard and broken down stone wall, he received instruction for himself.  This is profound.  He looked at the field and thought, "Poverty sneaks up on people unawares and overpowers them.  I too could be overwhelmed and unfruitful should I embrace a lazy approach to my responsibilities."  Instead of judging others or jumping to supply solutions for the apparent problems of others, it is wise to apply the truth to your own life.  It is one thing to know what to do, but another step entirely to put it into faithful practice.

Giving advice is easy:  receiving instruction is difficult.  It is only through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit we can understand, receive, and walk in the wisdom of God.  Praise the LORD He supplies both the will and power to do according to God's good pleasure!