A STIFF NECK

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 29-30

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

The Hyrax, also known as a rock badger, lives on rocks all around Israel. This one was photographed in the Ein Gedi reserve on the shore of the Dead Sea. It is described in today’s reading as “little on the earth,” but “exceedingly wise” (Proverbs 30:24, 26).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verses: Proverbs 29:1

He who is often rebuked and hardens his neck,

Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Two kings of Israel, Saul and David, were both rebuked…Saul by Samuel and David by Nathan. Saul was as one who “hardens his neck,” becoming stubborn and unwilling to change. David’s reaction was not to try to justify himself as Saul did, but to repent and change his ways. Saul’s attitude resulted in the loss of his position and eventually his very life. David’s response, “I have sinned against the Lord,” resulted in forgiveness and restoration. We may want to read the words David wrote to describe his repentance. They are found in Psalm 51.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, when I’m made aware of sin in my life or am corrected in some way by one of Your servants, may I not make excuses and stubbornly continue going my own way, but may I receive the grace of repentance, turn around, and go Your way. I pray that I will keep a gentle spirit and always be ready to receive a rebuke from You or from someone You send to confront me. I ask for Your restoration in the Name of Jesus, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My first encounter with a rock badger was in company with my two sons, Reynold, my photographer for the blog, and Ron, who formats and posts the blog. We were back-packing in Israel in 1978, and as we climbed over the rocks descending Mt. Carmel, there was a little creature looking at us for a moment. He (or she), according to Scripture, is “exceedingly wise,” and darted under a large rock for protection from these three large creatures who were approaching. Proverbs says that they are “a feeble folk.” They are called “people” in the original King James Version. It occurs to me that when anything appears too big for me to handle, I need to scurry under the Rock of God’s safety. Psalm 61:2b reminds me that “When my heart is overwhelmed,” I need to pray, “Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

Yours for “exceedingly wise” counsel from God’s Word,

David

P.S. The old hymn says, “Hiding in Thee. Hiding in Thee. O thou blest Rock of Ages I’m hiding in Thee” (click here for a recording of this great hymn).