A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: — Proverbs 1:5
This verse has sent me on a bit of a journey. The word “increase” in present, past, or future tense is used 147 times in Scripture while “decrease” is used three times. “Deliver” in the present, past, or future tense is used 549 times and “bondage” 37 times. “Understanding” is used 156, “unlearned,” six times. How is it we have gotten so far off track from the first simple instruction the wise man gave his son?
A wise man will hear and will increase! Enough said. How is it we listen but do not hear? Jesus came into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. How is it our understanding has become so dimmed about the what, when, how, why, and where of Jesus? Why do we spend more time preaching about, discussing, and dissertating on the words less used in the Word instead of expounding on the words more used in the Word.
The reason? Amos 8:11 tells us of the famine of the hearing of the Word. Why am I writing this? In hopes that everyone who reads this will hear that Calvary is a finished work (John 17:4). Hebrews 4:3 declares His works were finished from before the foundation of the world. Please hear today, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). How about Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Today, as the wise man of old, I ask you to hear the Word of the Lord. Increase your understanding and seek wise counsel. Spend more time on what Jesus is all about. Luke 19:10 says, “For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Our prayer for you this week: May you come to realize how much God wants us to lighten our load.
