I think I have decided to dig into 1 and 2 Peter starting tomorrow, and we’ll continue to use Proverbs as a buffer to break up some of those readings.  Just a heads up...so, tomorrow I will do a day of background, and then a read-through, and then we’ll dive into the text a little deeper as always.

For today though, I see a theme woven throughout this chapter that I really liked, coming from these verses:

1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

24 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.

The thing that all of these verses have in common as I am reading them is this idea of humility and teachability.  Am I open to God’s direction?  And not only that, am I open to God’s direction from the people in my life?  That’s a big question.  It is hard to be teachable...it is hard to be humble...sometimes it really takes an effort.  But we can’t grow if we aren’t open to being challenged.  And, we won’t be challenged if we constantly push back when challenged...if we aren’t approachable, we are going to cut ourselves off.

Great thoughts to consider this morning.