Fall Back

Proverbs 1:23

“Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”

It’s Daylight Savings Day! Today we fall back an hour. Your phone probably handled it while you were asleep. The microwave? That’s gonna need your help. Also the stove…also the car…also the coffee machine…

Wouldn’t it be nice if our habits reset as easily as our smartphones? Wake up and discover your tendency to “clap back” got updated with the ability to step back on demand.

But making those kinda changes asks something of us.

Listen to Proverbs 1:23 in the New King James Version:

“Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”

Two movements caught me: “Turn at my rebuke” and “Pour out my spirit.”

Turn around and Pour out. Picture it being super hot at one moment and then all of a sudden clouds rush in and rain falls soaking the thirsty ground. And if you live in Texas it’s not hard to see.

Isaiah 44:3 puts those pictures together: water for thirsty land, and God’s Spirit for the next generation. Joel promises an outpouring that reaches everyone. In Acts 2, Peter points to Pentecost and says this is what Joel was talking about.

God gives or “pours out” generously.

In Proverbs, Wisdom offers to pour out her spirit, her understanding, her words. And all it takes, is a simple invitation: turn toward my correction.

Ohh and we can fight against some correction.

“Lord, show me what to do!”

Well... what about that apology?

“I mean something deeper, Lord.”

That apology might be plenty deep.

I’ve gotten so caught up in “how I see it” that I’ve missed the invitation to correction. Somebody offers sound counsel, and I’m already rehearsing my response.

What would happen if we fell back a little? Maybe we can catch a little more light. And a little more light to guide your way never hurt anybody.

Titus 3 describes the Holy Spirit poured out generously through Jesus, because of God’s mercy. Do you think God allowed wrath to ‘fall back’ enough for mercy to come streaming in like the new morning?

So…falling back can sometimes lead to ‘pouring out’. That’s something to think about.

🔥 REMEMBER

God’s generosity gives us room to fall back, receive correction, and grow from a fresh outpouring of grace.

🙏🏽 PRAYER

God, soften my defenses and help me receive your wisdom.

🎯 TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Write down one piece of sound counsel you’ve resisted. Before bedtime, take one concrete step to practice it: apologize, change a plan, or ask for help.

About the Author

Fred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch

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