Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 314 – Proverbs 24:30-34 – Learned A Lesson From What I Saw – Growing As Disciples
I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest– and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 24:30-34 (NIV)
School Is In Session
I guess school is in session. What do you mean by that? By that, I mean my eyes and ears are open. I’m watching. I’m listening. I want to see and hear all that you want to teach me. I am humbly setting myself before you. I am welcoming your teaching in my life. And I have no doubts about your wanting to teach me. What do you think I will use to teach you? You will use all the circumstances of life to teach me. Nothing from all of life will be unavailable for your use. Like what? What have I used to teach you in the past? You have used failures to teach me. You have used successes to teach me. You have used everything between success and failure to teach me. You have used highs and lows to teach me. Actually, I have never known when a teachable moment will be before me. All I know is that I want to be fully attentive to you. I’m sure that you don’t want any teachable moment for me to go to waste. No, I don’t. Neither do I.
What attitude must you have if you are to be teachable? I must be humble above all else. Nothing will make me more unteachable than being filled with pride. Nothing will close my eyes and ears more tightly to you than thinking either that I “know it all” or I “am it all.” But I want to say something else. What’s that? Even when I have been filled with pride you have been able to teach me. However, I would rather not be taught and learn under those circumstances. Why is that? The lessons are much more difficult and painful. If and when my heart has been as hard as stone, the lesson has had to be as strong as a diamond, so to speak. You have had to break through my pride to teach me. Which you have done so, at times, because you love and care for me. You don’t want me to remain as I am. You want to keep me moving forward with you. Yes, I do.
What effort will you make to receive my instruction? I will not be lazy. I will not be complacent. Every day I will apply myself and give my full and best efforts to learning the lessons you are teaching me. I will not simply listen to your instruction. I will follow your guidance. I will go and do what you ask of me. Why will you give your all-out effort to me? I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. So, each day I will live as if school is in session, because it is. You are my teacher. I am your student. Yes, I am. Yes, you are. Let the learning begin. That will be very good.
Lord, I will keep my eyes and ears open so that I will be able to see and hear what you want to teach me. Teach me lessons that will give me wisdom. Give me good judgement. Guide the course of my life so I will be able to know and do what is pleasing to you. Amen
Key Question… When has the Lord used something you observed to teach you a lesson?
Living It Out… Keep your eyes and ears open so you will be able to see and hear what the Lord wants to teach you.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will teach you lessons that will help you to know and do what is pleasing to Him.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has taught you a valuable lesson of lifelong importance.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep your eyes and ears open to the lessons the Lord wants to teach you.
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