“선한 일을 위하여 지으심을 받은 자니”(엡 2:10)

Steps To Wisdom (3)

“Repent at My Rebuke”
Proverbs 1:20-33

The third step toward wisdom is 'to return.'
What is wisdom? Wisdom is making the right choice in any situation.
So, what is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Knowledge is knowing what the right choice is, while wisdom is the ability to carry out that right choice.

In Proverbs, wisdom is said to cry out loudly not in hidden places, but in the streets, the squares, the noisy intersections, at the city gates, and in the heart of the city, where everyone can hear. This means that everyone is given an equal opportunity to gain wisdom and is urged to seize it.

Wisdom calls out to the foolish, the simple, and the arrogant: “I will pour out my spirit to you and make my words known to you; turn back and heed my reproof.” If one listens and turns back, wisdom will be gained; however, if one hears but does not turn back, when the day of calamity comes like a storm, they will seek wisdom in fear and ask for help, but will not receive an answer or assistance.

The word “return” appears frequently in the book of Jeremiah (NIV), emphasizing God’s important message of “Come back.” In Jeremiah, God compares His relationship with the people of Israel to that of a marriage, stating that despite their spiritual unfaithfulness, He will forgive them if even one returns to Him. He continually urges through the prophets for them to turn back.

However, the southern kingdom of Judah, witnessing the northern kingdom’s deceitfulness in taking God’s word lightly and refusing to return, should have learned from this example. Yet, their complacency and stubbornness caused them to miss the opportunity to repent, leading them to the prophesied judgment and destruction.

What can we see through this book of Jeremiah?
The Lord continues to speak and offer opportunities, but if we do not turn back until the end, a time will come when we cannot return. The complacent thought that we can turn back at any time can lead to a moment when we find we cannot return or we become so accustomed or addicted that we lose the will to turn back.

Salvation in heaven is a gift of grace, but will we live our lives here on earth experiencing irreversible moments, or will we heed the voice of wisdom and return quickly? Turning back is wisdom. Through the Word, prayer, and praise, as the Holy Spirit cries out, the Lord tells us to listen and come back now.

1.Wisdom is to return before it’s too late.

In the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, the son lost everything and failed, but he did one thing well: he returned to his father.
What is the Holy Spirit urging you to turn back from right now? Do not delay any longer. The time may come unexpectedly when you cannot return. The Lord continuously calls us to return, but if we do not, we will ultimately bear that responsibility. This is a fact, a truth we must accept; returning before it’s too late is the wise and right choice.

Sharing Questions:

1. What are the areas in your life that you need to turn back to the Lord (habits, addictions, wounds, broken relationships, etc.)? (First, ask the Lord in prayer to open the eyes of your heart to realize these.)

2. What practices or places are you currently engaging in, or can you engage in, to gain the knowledge and wisdom to make the right choices? (QT, early morning prayer, Friday worship, one-on-one discipleship, quiet time, Bible reading, etc.

Application:

• As you reflect on the 168 hours of the week, may you wisely use your time to remember the grace of salvation given to you and make most of the days you've been given 

• May this week be a time for you to intercede for family and neighbors who are trapped in brokenness and find it hard to turn back, helping them take their first step toward repentance.