Stay, Don't Stray
Proverbs 19:20 & 27 NKJV
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise in your latter days.
27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
I know, I know, the title of this devotional sounds so preachy. But the ironic thing is, we tend to remember what rhymes. A defense attorney coined a phrase years ago in a highly publicized court case: "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." Think of nursery rhymes and songs and their ability to stick with us. The title may be a bit cringy, but the message is important because it has to do with receiving counsel and instruction.
If we listen to counsel and instruction, it will produce wisdom in the long term. In other words, listening and receiving counsel and instruction will eventually show up as wisdom in our lives. But the implied idea is that we don't just listen once. Listening to God's counsel and instruction is to be consistent. I have heard people reference having read the Bible. That's good, but what is even better is reading the Bible. The Scriptures contain the wisdom and counsel of God. If we keep hearing and receiving, we will wind up with God's wisdom and counsel. But what if we stop listening and receiving?
Verse twenty-seven answers that question for us. If we stop listening, we will stray from the words of knowledge. Listening and receiving from God's Word on a consistent basis is the key to not straying away from God's Words and wisdom. There are so many voices coming our way. Our access to media and input has increased dramatically over the past twenty years. And all of the input is not in line with God's wisdom. This is why consistently hearing God's voice in His Word and being guided by His Holy Spirit is key to staying, not straying from life-giving wisdom. Don't stop listening; we need more wisdom, not less, in the days ahead.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the wisdom in Your Word. I am listening to your counsel and instructions. I am staying, not straying from You.