Of what use is money in the hand of a fool since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom? Proverbs 17:16, TLV
Are You Provoked? These days there are plenty of posts and stories from the Middle East and in our cities that provoke emotions. However, this devotion is about another type of “provoke.”
There’s a process of meditating on the Bible that I loosely call the “Provoke Method.” I read a novel some years ago where the characters used a form of this method. Before that I had labeled it as “When Something Causes a Really Strong Emotion Method.” I like their name better.
Essentially, the method employs reading a verse or section of Scripture several times — they recommend reading out loud, but I don’t — all the while paying attention to words or phrases that “provoke” us. These are the words or phrases that tug within us or cause us to trip up.
The wonder of that provocation or emotion is that it’s the Holy Spirit touching us — directing us to something deeper. Deeper inside us that might need some looking at with Him. A treasure He wants to show us.
If we choose to ignore that prompting, we’re really no different
than the fool who has wealth in their hand, and no intention of pursuing where our Heavenly Father is leading us.
What does it look like?
What could the Provoke Method look like for us practically?
For me, with today’s chapter of Proverb, I kept coming back to this verse. But I honestly couldn’t see the connection or what the Holy Spirit was trying to show me.
Full disclosure here: sometimes I’ll pray for guidance before I read, but sometimes — as it was this morning — it was, “I don’t get why I’m feeling this one. How does this apply to me?”
I stepped away and in the middle of cleaning, I got it: When I ignore that provoking to dig deeper, I’m no less foolish than the fool. Ah!
So, then I grabbed my handy dandy journal and began writing.
As I wrote, I wondered if you had heard of the “Provoke Method” and then thought, maybe it will be a blessing to you as well.
Then, because I love you all, I transposed into this blog so I can get your feedback, too.
After over 20 years of reading the same passages each day, knowing that the Holy Spirit is there waiting to take me deeper is really pretty exciting, don’t you think? It is a gift.
Anything that draws me closer to Daddy, I’m game? How about you?
May we notice the provoking words, my friends.
Think More About It
Have certain passages provoked a surprising emotion from you? How had you handled it?
Thanks for stopping by for the read. You know I love your comments and insights, so please use the comments section to post your thoughts. And I also greatly appreciate your shares. Thanks again.
Until tomorrow, please continue to pray for the war against Israel and innocents, and the unrest in our country.
