CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 752

“Wisdom Cries Aloud”

Proverbs 1:20-22 (ESV)         Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets 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?

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A modern day parable is told about a man who liked to race his convertible sports car on winding rural roads.  One day as he approached the next blind turn he noticed a woman hiking on the side of the road.  They made eye contact and she shouted “PIG!” Thinking that he had just been insulted, and not to be outdone, the driver turned his head and shouted back “COW!” to the hiker.  The driver then proceeded to round the blind corner and plowed into a herd of pigs in the road.

The driver in this story was blinded to the possibility that the hiker may have been issuing a word of warning and not an insult.  God’s Word tells us that Wisdom cries aloud in the streets but as naïve and stubborn fools many of us tend to ignore wisdom and continue along our own reckless path.

Wisdom cries out about the dangers of adultery and fornication, yet our society cannot seem to get enough of pornography and sexual stimulation.

With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. – Proverbs 7:21

Wisdom cries out about the dangers of tobacco and drug and alcohol abuse.  Wisdom also cries out that proper diet and exercise are necessary to maintain the health of our bodies, yet our nation is becoming increasingly obese and unhealthy.

…do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.  – 1 Cor 6:19

Wisdom cries out about the majesty of God through His creation, the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman, and that life begins at conception yet our leaders pass laws that turn our country’s back upon God and violate all that He has ordained.

Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. – Matt 10:14

Wisdom cries out that there is no salvation apart from Jesus, and wisdom is labeled as too conservative, exclusive, given to hate-speech, and narrow-minded.

Are you too proud to heed wisdom’s call?  Are you too full of yourself to consider the possibility that you need Jesus?  Are you in denial about the very real dangers you face when you engage in risky behaviors and lifestyle habits?  How long will you indulge your flesh, ‘driving your life car in a reckless manner’, and ignoring Wisdom as she cries aloud warnings and correction?

Wisdom is crying out to you.  Don’t be too proud and stiff-necked to heed the call of God.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God