What I am reading:
This week I continue to read Proverbs. It is interesting that few of the sections of the Proverbs are included as regular reading in the three year scripture cycle (known as 'the Lectionary' used by many denominations. Just nine texts are listed in the Bible Index of Working Preacher, one of my key sources as I prepare to preach God's word. Much of what we know of the Proverbs are the 'Solomon sayings' found beginning in chapter 10, one verse nuggets of wisdom.

But the first ten chapters of Proverbs contain a plea from God we all need to hear; a plea from Wisdom, for wisdom. In the first text on the lectionary list (Proverbs 1: 20-33), Wisdom, the Spirit of God, cries in the street, calling out to all God's children, how long will you remain simple, how long will scoffers continue to scoff, and fools resist understanding?  Only when storms rage and calamity come do we shoot pleas to heaven, only then do we seek the movement of God's hand over the waters.

It says that because we hate knowledge -- what Jesus called 'the Truth' -- we did not (and do not) choose the fear of the LORD, nor would we have any of wisdom's counsel. Boy, are those words an indictment!

By the way, the word 'fear' in scripture does not hold the same weight of understanding as it does in today's english language, it means utter, total and overwhelming awe and reverence at the height, depth and breadth of God.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? Isaiah says: The LORD is the ever-lasting God, the creator/maker and redeemer -- of all ends of the earth.

...God's love for us, God's compassion for all of creation, God's mercy, God's power to stop evil and to change a life for good are all greater than we could ever imagine -- and are accessible to us if we only trust. Don't ever doubt that your prayer will be heard... no matter how it's prayed... whether you have the words to speak... or the words spoken are filled with anger or despair.

This Sunday there will be preaching about the Spirit coming into the midst of Jesus chosen disciples, to bring them the power Jesus promised to preach God's Gospel to 'the ends of the earth'. I regularly pray for the Spirit of God to rekindle our hearts... But, as David Lose mentions in his 'Dear Working Preacher' column this week, when we ask the Spirit to come, do we really mean it? In the same way, when we pray, 'Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest', do we really want Jesus to be present?

This week, I pray for wisdom... for patience and mercy... for understanding. I pray that you you too, will be still and know that God is God.