In an age of information we are in great need of wisdom. The book of Proverbs provides us with something like sound bites” which can be a resource for righteous living. It is not a self-help manual. At its heart this book probes well beyond simple advice and instruction in calling us to “the fear of the Lord” and engagement in patterns of living honouring to Yahweh.

Practical wisdom is certainly about what we do, how we behave, our practices in relations to others.

Jesus said that a time is coming when we will long to see him, on this earth, in his glory. While theologians have debated over how best to interpret this passage, and how it relates to both Christ’s crucifixion and what will happen when Christ comes again, one thing is clear – right here, right now, we long to see Jesus.

We long for the comfort and security of having him on this broken earth in human form, with a face we can look into and a voice we can clearly hear.

I stared at my bank balance in horror. It was around Christmas and thieves had skimmed the entire balance from my bank account. I was furious and also pretty worried. My bank assured me that the money would be returned. I just had to wait. So I waited. And I waited. After a week passed I went back to my branch – they told me to wait a few more weeks. I was tired of waiting.

With the help of a wise, media-savvy friend we took to Twitter.

Michael “Bull” Roberts, a 6’4” 400 lb former drug lord and enforcer met God on the floor of a seedy motel. He had fought against God for years but finally, after retaliation from his own gang and a brush with death, Michael knew his time had come. The excruciating, searing pain in both his body and soul forced him to cry out to God.

“Show me one inch of love, God,” Michael begged as he lay in his own tears and filth.

What’s with Jesus? Can’t he accept a compliment? After all he was a “good” (in fact sinless) person. And his teaching was both engaging and substantial. So from every angle he merited being called “good”. Yet, he seems offended.

It turns out that this rich guy (let’s be creative and name him Rich) also sees himself as good. Jesus runs him through a list of what makes a person a model citizen and Rich is “good”.

Have you spent any time with blind people? If so, have you watched a blind person’s eyes follow a sound and then stare blankly? Then you know the look of futility.

It has been said that there are none so blind as those who will not see. In today’s passage, we’d have to say that this fits the disciples. They had a picture of how God’s promised King was going to establish his Kingdom on earth.

Have you ever been so sure someone could rescue you by speaking up on your behalf that you started your request with words of praise and thanks?

That’s how the Psalmist begins: “O God, whom I praise! Do not remain silent.”

He asks God to appoint an accuser in a court.