Read Proverbs 27:12

Read Proverbs 27:12  In our verse for today, Solomon is telling us to pay attention.  He is saying, "Wake up!  Take notice!  Don't be dumb!"  In our verse we have two people: the prudent man and the simple man.  So, if we are supposed to be prudent, what does prudent mean?  Any ideas?  Prudent means cautious or careful.  Like a base runner in baseball.  When a baseball player gets a hit and he is on base,  he has to be careful.  When the pitcher is getting ready to throw the next ball to the batter, the base runner steps off first base so that he can get a head start toward second.  When his teammate hits the ball, the runner wants to have a little lead so that he can get to second base safely.  But, the runner can't take too much of a lead, or the pitcher will notice and throw the ball to the first baseman and the runner will get tagged out.  So here it is: a prudent runner will lead off of first base, but not too much.  He will go just enough to give him a good head start towards second base, but not so much of a lead that the pitcher can catch him off base.  He is prudent; his lead off is just right.  And like the base runner is careful, we should be careful in our lives.  We should be prudent and we should be aware of trouble that might be coming toward us.  We should watch our smart mouth.  We should watch our careless actions.  We should watch naughty friends who may drag us into mischief.  We should be careful who we sit beside in church so that we won't be tempted to misbehave.  We should be prudent.  Tomorrow, let's not be simple; let's be prudent.