Just Listen - The One Year Daily Wisdom
Just Listen
Read Proverbs 23
God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
Revelation 1:3
Two blessings and three conditions are included in this proverb. God promises to bless those who read the prophecy to the church. God also promises to bless those who listen and obey what it says. The conditions are clear and the blessings are worth pursuing.
Particularly when it comes to the book of Revelation, Christians seem far more interested in listening to others offer their interpretation of John’s great vision than in actually reading the book themselves. But no blessing is offered in this proverb for those who interpret the vision. The listening seems to refer to an attitude of attentiveness to commands that will then be obeyed. Our overattention to descriptions in Revelation often blunt our interest in the prescriptions of Revelation.
The final phrase of this proverb, written nineteen hundred years ago, points to Jesus’ towering words: “You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected” (Matthew 24:44). Listen and obey—be ready.
A WORD FOR TODAY
Live prophetically expectant!
If you come today, Lord, I’m ready! I know I don’t expect it, but I’m ready to be surprised!
