1. God’s Unchanging Promises

“If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.” – Proverbs 1:23

Some people like to think that the God of the Old Testament is different than the God of the New Testament, but here we see evidenced once again a characteristic of the unchanging nature of God.

In this verse God makes the same promise that He makes throughout the entirety of Scripture: Repent and He will be with you. Heed the words of correction and warning. Turn from our sins and wickedness and receive the blessings that God has for you which are the outpouring of His Spirit and an opening of your eyes and ears to the heart of God’s Word.

2. Spirituality is Seeking in Vain

“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 1:28-31

This passage echoes the words of John 1: “The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it.” People all over the world are seeking someone or something to worship because we have been made to worship, but often times when confronted with the Truth of the Gospel it is easier to reject Jesus than to bring ones life into unity with God’s Word.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” – Proverbs 1:7

Fear in this context is not as we typically understand it today, as something to be scared of.  It means to have a healthy fear and respect, just as we should have of things like electricity and standing on the edge of sheer cliffs.  But when we disregard that healthy fear of these things we make foolish choices and can get ourselves into dangerous situations.  The fear of the Lord is like that.  When we lose that healthy fear of the power, glory, and majesty of God we end up making choices that mess our lives up and leave us in dangerous situations.