Psalms 8:1 and 18:1-3; add 31:1-3

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Proverbs 1. In verses 32-33 the Spirit called me aside into communion:

Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

Proverbs 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Along the still waters, I pondered: Earlier, the Spirit cried to the simple: “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?” And called them: “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you” (Proverbs 1:22-23). Here, turn is a call to retreat (flee to safety), to return home, to repent (3x, see 1 Kings 8:47; Ezekiel 14:6; 18:30).

At verse 32, the LORD warns the simple who “turn away” that they will be slain, smitten with the intent to kill. Turn and turn away use the same root; it’s the direction of the turning that is of critical importance.

Every turn is both toward and away, what matters is toward what or who and away from what or who. When we turn to GOD, we are necessarily turning away from Satan (Acts 26:18). When we turn from God, we are likewise, in the same movement, turning toward Satan. He is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).

The essence of what it means to be simple is to be gullible: easily seduced by those “spirits” that lead us away with lies (1 Timothy 4:1-4).

In the valley, my Shepherd called me into the path that He walked, which was ever toward GOD and away from Satan: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Satan boasted he would “be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14). Jesus was of a different mind, and His Spirit calls us to be of that same mind: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” Who thought it not “robbery to be equal with God” (Philippians 2:5-11). Instead, He let go of what Satan sought to take hold. Rather than exalt self, as Satan, Jesus denied self, and took His Cross.

At the table, I noticed the print of the nails in His hands as He poured upon my head His holy anointing, and reached for my cup to fill it with the day’s portion, mixed with His sufficient grace. Goodness and mercy attended me as I walked with Him into the harvest, following His steps (1 Peter 2:21).

Praying for revival! 🙏