Proverbs 22:3 is simple. Here’s how the New International Version renders it:
The prudent see danger and take refuge
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
This is the kind of proverb your mother quoted to you. It’s one of those fundamental truths that I’m guessing most cultures around the world have immortalized in proverbial sayings appropriate to their cultural contexts.
It is easy to quickly think of situations where this proverb applies. I think, for example, of the times that my wife has said — as we are heading out on a trip across the desert — “Do we have plenty of extra drinking water? Because if we break down in the desert…”
In years past, the kids have usually rolled their eyes and said, “Mom, nothing is going to happen.” Then several years ago, traveling to a speaking engagement on a divided interstate through the Arizona desert, I passed a traffic accident on the oncoming side of the freeway. It blocked all traffic, and because it was in the middle of the desert, there were no off-ramps. There was no need for off-ramps! There was nowhere to go.
The cars were backed up at least ten miles. When we took our exit, we were coming to the end of the traffic jam just about 20 miles down the interstate from the accident. I was stunned. People just sitting in their cars, hour after hour, with nowhere to go. No escape, in the desert, in the daytime Arizona sun.
As I think about it now, I think of my wife’s advice to always have drinking water in the car. And I think of this proverb. The New Living Translation renders it:
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
I wonder how many prudent people waited hour after hour in their cars that day, and I wonder how many simpletons went to other cars, begging for a drink.
This proverb is true in many areas of life. So, some questions:
Do you have extra water and batteries and food for when “the big one” shakes us?
Do you have renter’s insurance for when the pipe breaks and spoils your furniture?
Did you fill up your gas tank for tomorrow’s early morning run to the airport?
Have you invested quality time in your relationships, so there’s goodwill in the emotional bank for when hard times come?
And maybe the most important question of all: Are you investing deeply in your relationship with God on a daily basis?
I ask because I can assure you that a time will come when you will need the strength that relationship can provide, and yet you’ll be in the midst of a situation that is not conducive to building it.
You see, when the storm breaks, it’s too late to fix the leaky roof. When the flood waters rise, it’s too late to reinforce the levee. When the fire burns, it’s too late to buy a fire alarm. And when the night grows dark, you’ll need the assurance of God’s presence to surround you. How much stronger you will be if that assurance is the familiar presence you’ve come to know every day of your life.
Thankfully, God answers our 911 calls. But God would rather you experience his friendship every day so that when the hard times come, you’re not calling a stranger.
Build your relationship with him now. Today. Every day. That’s what wise people do.
—Randy Roberts, DMin, is vice president for spiritual life and mission at Loma Linda University Health.
