I love the 8th chapter of Proverbs. Reading the account of the Lord Jesus creating the world and enjoying the presence of the Father, gives such insight to their intimate relationship before the Incarnation. He gave up the presence of His Father to come to earth to die for us.
It never ceases to amaze me.
At the end of the chapter, we’re admonished to do three simple things to be blessed by the Lord.
HEAR – In our time period, He does not speak audibly. Hebrews 1:12, tells us He used to speak to and through prophets, but in these last days, He only speaks to us through His Son.
John 1:1-4 tells us His Son is the Word.
We don’t hear Him audibly, but if we are filling ourselves with the Word and allowing our hearts and minds to be transformed into His image, we will inwardly hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It isn’t a voice that is audible to the ear, but to the spirit of man, responding according to the Word vested in a believer’s heart.
WATCHING: He asked His disciples to watch and wait, and they fell asleep.
We are watching out for evil in the world. We are watching for traps and snares of the devil. We are watching to be sure our feet are on the right path.
The watching is combined with praying. We should be asking for direction, asking for help against the enemies, asking for strength against temptation and asking for guidance along the path.
WAITING- When we are expecting company, we like to hover by the front door and open it before they knock, greeting them with a hug and a welcome from loud, boisterous children. We expect them, so we are waiting.
The Lord needs us to wait in two ways, yet the waiting is the same.
We are waiting for His soon return.
We are waiting for His answers to our prayers.
He has a plan in both of these things, and He will execute it in His way, His timing. We understand His coming, and gladly leave those details to Him by faith. We don’t always understand we need this same attitude for other waiting in our lives. We fret and worry, as if He won’t answer and doesn’t care. The weakness of our flesh and faith cause us to doubt Him.
Sometimes, we like to leave our kids a list of things to do when we leave the house.
They know we’re coming back and will check on their work.
And the blessing He promised?
And I was daily His delight…
The Father delights in the Son, the Son delights in the sons of men.
What an amazing blessing for just three things….
hearing
watching and
waiting.
Joyfull says
I also loved the thoughts on these verses. Beautiful and encouraging. Thanks for sharing.
~ Tandis ~ says
"wait I say, on the Lord" =/ Not a verse I'm very good at doing.Thanks for the thoughts and encouragement this morning.
Ruby says
Good thoughts on those beautiful verses, Mindy! Thankyou.