“Then they will call to me but I won’t answer; they will search for me but won’t find me. Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the LORD, were not interested in my counsel and rejected all my correction, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be glutted with their own schemes. For the turning away of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger.”  Proverbs 1:28-33 HCSB

Our hope is found in Christ alone.  Perhaps you have heard that before, but think about it.  Are you going to put your hope in anything that is in the world today?  I mean, seriously, the world is a mess don’t you think?  So, I certainly would not want to be in position where I would call out to God and He would not answer.  I would not want to seek God but not find Him.  For this very reason, I choose to fear the Lord.  I choose to do my best to remember that I serve a God who wants what is best for me, but will not force me to do things His way.  See, I have to choose to fear Him.  I have to choose to have a close relationship with Him. I have to choose to spend time with Him.  I have to choose to love Him with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind.

Now, I choose to do these things because I want to draw close to Him and I want Him to draw close to me.  I want to know that He is there for me.  I also choose to live this way because I have lived the foolish lifestyle.  I have eaten the fruit of my ways and let me tell you, it is not tasty.  I have learned that being simple and wayward will destroy me.  I have learned that being foolish and complacent will destroy me.  I have learned that if I listen to God and pay careful attention when He rebukes me that my life will be much more enjoyable.  I have learned how to have that peace that passes all understanding.  I have learned to live in the safety that comes only from a close relationship with Jesus Christ.  I have learned to live without the fear of harm because I know that I serve a God who’s got my back.

So today, will you read this scripture passage and take it to heart?  Will you stop being foolish and complacent before it destroys you?  Will you love the knowledge that you receive from the Lord?  Will you choose to fear the Lord?  Will you accept His advice and take heed when He rebukes you?  Well, I hope so.  Because then and only then can you live a life of peace, a life of safety, a life free from the fear of harm.

And once you live this kind of life, you will want nothing else my friend. The peace that passes all understanding is worth more than any earthly treasure you could ever possess.

So today, my prayer for you is that you choose knowledge.  I pray that you choose to fear God and take His advice.  The Bible is full of good advice from Him. Because someday we will all eat the fruit of our ways, we have to choose whether we want fruit that is horribly bitter or wonderfully sweet.  So today make the right choice before it’s too late.  You will be so glad you did!

Have a great day!