We are living in a time when we are constantly called upon to make wise choices. Discerning what is wise is not always as easy or as clear as we’d like it to be! As we gather together in-person and online for “Welcome Back Sunday,” we’ll begin a fall sermon series entitled: Walking with Wisdom. In the coming weeks we’ll reflect on various biblical stories and characters who were called upon to exercise wisdom, even when it was challenging to know which way to go. We’ll consider what it means to walk with wisdom in our own lives and what it looks like to exercise wisdom day to day. This week, we’ll begin in Proverbs 1 with Lady Wisdom. She cries out in the streets. Are we listening to what she has to say?
Scriptures:
- Proverbs 1:20-33
- Psalm 19
- James 3:1-12
- Mark 8:27-38
Proverbs 1:20-33
The Call of Wisdom
Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.
At the busiest corner she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
Give heed to my reproof;
I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.
Because I have called and you refused,
have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,
and because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when panic strikes you,
when panic strikes you like a storm,
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
would have none of my counsel,
and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way
and be sated with their own devices.
For waywardness kills the simple,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
but those who listen to me will be secure
and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.’