LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 27 vs 12
Okay, so the first thing we see here is: “how on earth do we know what’s coming ahead when we are not Omniscient [All Knowing like God]?” Well, we may not be Omniscient, but we know the one who is and he can guide us, and to boot, we can all exercise common sense, prudence and wisdom!
God has given us His word and His Spirit, so it should not be rocket science for us if we are discerning and willing to spend time with the Holy Spirit, in the word, listening to the word and putting it into practice, listening for the nudges and warnings of The Holy Spirit within our hearts. You may say: “But what if I’m wrong?” Well what if you are and what if you aren’t! Making mistakes is part of growth and it’s how we learn. I remember back in 2006 or around that time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was some financial troubles ahead generally! I kept getting butterflies and feelings of anxiety for no apparent reason.
At that time we were still in the early 2000s boom in the UK when people were buying up property at home and abroad, doing them up and selling them or renting them out and taking out even bigger mortgages. I myself even thought about it, but I just could not shake this premonition of “be careful, be cautious and be prudent”. Around this same time the Holy Spirit took me to the story of Joseph son of Jacob who when put in charge of Egypt put 15% of all goods gathered in the 7 years of plenty aside in readiness for the 7 years of want. The Holy Spirit simply said “do the same!” So I did. 15% of my income at the end of each month. Then the worldwide crash of 2008 hit, but I weathered the storm and remained in the black. That is the heart of the above verse [PRUDENCE]. Joseph was guided by the Spirit of God. We are partakers of a better covenant, so I/we have no excuse. Look before you leap.
Pray about the above verses today, apply them to yourself. Then go out each day with prudence, wisdom and common sense in your tool kit. And God’s Spirit in your heart.