Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
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? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, I have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
– Proverbs 1:20-31
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
– Proverbs 3:11-12
Devotion
In the Bible, the nation of Israel is often referred to as “stiff-necked” (Exodus 32:9, 33:3-9, 34:9, 2 Chronicles 30:8). This word picture refers to an ox or other beast of burden who is unwilling to lower its neck to accept a yoke in order to labor for the master. The beast is unwilling to yield to the master’s will and fulfill one of its primary purposes in life, which is to use its immense strength to cultivate the land so that the master can plant and reap the crops which would sustain many.
Scripture teaches us that responding to God’s correction is wise, and will be rewarded by God revealing himself to us through his Spirit. When we refuse to respond to God’s correction and become “stiff-necked”, we fall prey to our own evil desires and suffer the consequences. Our stubborn ways can cause terror, calamity, distress, and anguish. They can even hinder our pleas to God due to our prideful hearts and arrogant deeds. Ignoring God’s wise counsel and despising his reproof leads us to experience the fruit of our own evil ways.
The Big Question
How do you respond to God’s counsel and correction? Are there any areas in your life where you are “stiff-necked”? What are the potential consequences of ignoring God’s direction in these areas?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.