Ecclesiastes 4:13 (ESV)
13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.
NOTE: This is one of those verses you know, you have heard, and you have vowed to never fail when you are old. But when the brash or arrogant questions your wisdom, what happens? All of a sudden, the past words about this proverb are forgotten. You get defensive and you don't listen to the advice. Some of it, is certainly the delivery of the person. But those of us who are aged, aren't we beyond that, i.e., letting someone's own foolishness cause us to act foolishly? I remember when I was young and I interrupted a General officer, my boss, in a staff meeting. He listened patiently. When I stopped, he continued on with his point. It was lesson. He was willing to listen to me without interrupting, but I wasn't willing to listen to him. Noone ever said anything to me, except God. Now I am that older person. I don't need another's behavior define my behavior. I need to listen, no matter where the advice comes from.
PONDER:
- Who do I have difficulty taking advice from? Why?
- Who is the more mature person, the one giving the advice, or the one listening to the advice?
PRAYER: Father, help me to remember these words when someone gives advice or questions my thoughts. Give me a spirit of gentleness and a willingness to listen, no matter who the person is. Let me show Jesus through my life in word and especially in deed.
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