Today's Word: Proverbs 1:20-25ff
20/ Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. 21/ At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: 22/ “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? 23/ Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. 24/ Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out my hand and no one heeded, 25/ and because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof…
Today's Witness
The ancient writer graphically depicts wisdom crying out in the streets for a hearing, and for attention to the sordid details of humankind’s stubborn refusal to practice civility, compassion, common sense, and basic concern for the well-being of all members of the community. The writer might as well be describing our own time, as we are bombarded today with news of callousness and unconcern at the highest levels of government. Policies related to taking care of all our neighbors in need, protecting our democracy, providing programs of wrap around care for those struggling to maintain a home or to acquire food during a pandemic are found wanting. Nevertheless, those who scoff at the poor, denigrate the weak, and revel in their arrogant pronouncements regarding how they expect to take back the power they lost using dishonest means, behave as though wisdom’s power and resolve cannot touch them. They are wrong.
Today's Invitation
Can you think of a serious issue or problem in our society that is getting increasingly severe despite what seems like obvious and readily accessible solutions to the problem? Why do you think obvious solutions are being disregarded or overlooked?
Today's Prayer
Psalm 116:1/ I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. 2/ Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 3/ The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. 4/ Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, save my life!” 5/ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. 6/ The Lord protects the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7/ Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. 8/ For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. 9. I walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Amen.
Today's Word: Proverbs 1:20-25ff
20/ Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. 21/ At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: 22/ “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? 23/ Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. 24/ Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out my hand and no one heeded, 25/ and because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof…
Today's Witness
The ancient writer graphically depicts wisdom crying out in the streets for a hearing, and for attention to the sordid details of humankind’s stubborn refusal to practice civility, compassion, common sense, and basic concern for the well-being of all members of the community. The writer might as well be describing our own time, as we are bombarded today with news of callousness and unconcern at the highest levels of government. Policies related to taking care of all our neighbors in need, protecting our democracy, providing programs of wrap around care for those struggling to maintain a home or to acquire food during a pandemic are found wanting. Nevertheless, those who scoff at the poor, denigrate the weak, and revel in their arrogant pronouncements regarding how they expect to take back the power they lost using dishonest means, behave as though wisdom’s power and resolve cannot touch them. They are wrong.
Today's Invitation
Can you think of a serious issue or problem in our society that is getting increasingly severe despite what seems like obvious and readily accessible solutions to the problem? Why do you think obvious solutions are being disregarded or overlooked?
Today's Prayer
Psalm 116:1/ I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. 2/ Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 3/ The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. 4/ Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, save my life!” 5/ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. 6/ The Lord protects the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7/ Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. 8/ For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. 9. I walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Amen.