Haste Has No Blessing

Last night's focus on wisdom at the Those Preachin' Women Conference was very powerful. I am glad Abigail was selected as a sermon subject as I honestly have heard very little preaching on her. I was reminded, particularly through Rev. Cassandra Gray's sermon that I wrote a devotional on wisdom a couple of years ago using the same text she used, Proverbs 2: 1-7. The devotional was entitled, "Haste Has No Blessing." It was published in the St. Stephen Church "Get Some Sense" Publication in 2007 and in February 2008 Jesus Saves Newsletter. I have Rev. Lesa Dae, who also preached on Abigail last night, to thank for the devotional as she was the person who originally asked me to write on the text. I pray that it blesses you now!

Haste Has No Blessing!

Proverbs 2: 1-7
(V1) “My child, listen to me and treasure my instruction.
(V2) Tune your ears to wisdom, andconcentrate on understanding.
( V3) Cry out for insight and understanding.

(V4) Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure.
(V5) Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
(V6) For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

(V7) He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly.” (NLT)

Our society has become conditioned to want things quick, fast, and in a hurry. We give alittle and expect to receive a lot.However, an African proverb says,“Haste has no blessing.” Proverbs chapter 2 makes it clear that the“quick-fast-and-in-a-hurry” and the “give-a-little-receive-a lot” philosophies of life are not the ways of God.

Some things, such as gaining wisdom, knowledge, and understanding require considerable time, trust, prayer, and effort. In the opening verses of Proverbs chapter 2, we learn to “listen,” “treasure,” “tune,” “concentrate,” “cry out,” and “search,” for insight and understanding (vs. 1-4). We are to apply serious attention and devotion to the task. We are to give our all to knowing who God is. The Bible says when you do this, “then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. (V5)”

Are you giving more of yourself to the God who has given His all for you? Listen and treasure
divine instruction. Tune your ears to wisdom. Concentrate on God’s Word. Cry out continually in prayer. Search the scriptures daily. The Lord grants knowledge, wisdom and understanding (V 6-7) to those who diligently search for it, and that is a treasure of good sense (V 7), a treasure worth seeking.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!