We just stepped into the Hebrew month of Av, which literally means “father” and one of the functions of a father is to teach his children through relationship and trust. With God as our heavenly Father, it is no different. He yearns to share His heart and teach us. In order to learn, we must be alert and sensitive to His leading. This month, it’s no coincidence that two of the characteristics are, “Listen carefully! You will hear key impressions this month,” and “Consider what you hear and determine how to develop a new level of discernment or oppose counsel and advice.” One reason we may oppose counsel and advice is because we think we know better. In some ways we aren’t that much different from the Israelites who wandered 40 years in the desert.

They refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; So, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt.  But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness; and You did not forsake them.  - Nehemiah 9:7 

I am thankful that God is long suffering with us, because sometimes it takes us a while to learn the lessons He is trying to teach us.  Don’t underestimate the power of obedience for it will determine your future, regardless of your current situation.  

I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life.  I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide.  So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before.  Don’t make me tug you and pull you along.  Just come with me!”  - Psalm 32: 8-9 

May we be the generation that does not resist the leading of the Spirit of God but rather receives our inheritance, here and now, like Caleb and Joshua. 

Do what is right and good in the LORD’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors... - Deut. 6:18 

Being wise is not determined by our academic abilities, the number of degrees behind our name, or by our financial status or position in life.  It is determined by the application of His Word. So, let’s BELIEVE and put into practice what God says so that when shaking comes, and it will, we will be left standing. 

Everyone who hears my teaching and applies it to his life can be compared to a wise man who built his house on an unshakable foundation. When the rains fell and the flood came, with fierce winds beating upon his house, it stood firm because of its strong foundation. “But everyone who hears my teaching and does not apply it to his life can be compared to a foolish man who built his house on sand. When it rained and rained and the flood came, with wind and waves beating upon his house, it collapsed and was swept away." - Matt 7:24-27