A Life in Exile

While listening to and following God’s wisdom leads to the confident security of living by the Spirit’s guidance, the consequences of ignoring God and His wise counsel paint a clear picture of what we see in the lives of many in our world today. If you are a Christ-follower and depend deeply on the wisdom of God’s Word, then this passage should prompt you toward prayer for those suffering the impact of their own decision to reject Him.

We will finish our insights from the first chapter of Proverbs with this warning:

Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 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 terror strikes you, when terror 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 have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them. (Proverbs 1:24-32 ESV)

The signs of rejection

What does it look like to refuse God’s wisdom? We have several examples here in this passage.

• Refusal to listen to the call of God. Maybe you’ve seen it before. A powerful sermon is preached in the hearing of a loved one, and when others are responding, they are texting on their phone or decide never to return to that church.
• Do not heed God’s clear message when trials come. What happens when an alcoholic ends up in the hospital, knowing that his life has just been saved, but then refuses to go to rehab? The message was rejected.

God desires a relationship with us. He seeks to draw us near in one of two ways: through His Word, whether written or through the voice of one of His children, or through times of suffering that He allows to get our attention. In His mercy, God gives us more chances than we deserve to turn to Him. Ultimately, He knows our hearts, and He gives us what we are asking for—a God-free life.

God’s response to rejection

These are hard verses to read. The thought of God laughing at our calamity or mocking us when terror strikes. How can a loving God do such a thing? Verses 29-30 give us the answer:

Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof.

He lets us reap what we sow. His favor turns from us when we hate the thought of knowing God and refuse to give Him the reverence, He is due.

Who is our God? Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

This is the God who gives when we ask, is found by those who seek Him, and opens doors to those who knock. I can imagine that Jesus was thinking of Proverbs when He shared that beautiful truth with the people that day. He knew that, for the one who rejects God and His wisdom, the Lord is the opposite.

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. (Proverbs 1:28)

Heed the warning

God, by His nature, longs to be in intimate relationship with all He’s made in His image. Sin has messed that up, but not changed God’s desire. Our challenge is to turn from the enticement of sinners and turn to the wisdom that can be heard above the world’s noise, if only we choose to listen. Refusing God’s message has consequences; it’s up to us to avoid them by listening to Him.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start this Walking in Wisdom series from the beginning.