My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight. – Proverbs 5:1

Today's Scripture Reading (December 17, 2025): Proverbs 5

Sometimes, my mind wanders. It is an old affliction. It happened a lot when I was in school. The teacher would be droning on about some subject or other, and my mind would gradually drift off to other things that I would rather be doing. Of course, then the teacher would ask a question, and I would discover that I had no idea what was being discussed.

Many years ago, I wrote a song called "Change My Name."

            Change my name, O Lord, I am not who I used to be.

            Because of You, I am becoming the one You intended me to be.

            Change my name, O Lord. I need You to carry me with You.

            And you can use this broken life, restored as only You can do (Garry Mullen).

Once I was asked where the inspiration comes from for songs or stories. And the truth is, the muse comes in many different ways and circumstances. In the case of "Change My Name," the inspiration came from a Sermon by the Lead Pastor (Dr. Larry Dahl), whom I happened to be serving under at the time. He started preaching on the story of Jacob when God changed his name to Israel, and my mind wandered. By the time he finished preaching, ninety percent of the song had been written. I tidied up the rest of the song that afternoon in my office with my trusty guitar in hand. I told Dr. Dahl the story of the song's inspiration, but I don't think he was very impressed; after all, my mind had wandered during his sermon. 

Often, I wonder if Rehoboam had a habit of letting his mind wander. I mean, twice in two chapters, Solomon asks his son to pay attention. The first time is in Proverbs 4.

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding (Proverbs 4:1).

 And then again, here in Proverbs 5;

My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
    turn your ear to my words of insight (Proverbs 5:1).

I don't know the circumstances around these instructions to his children. Part of me can imagine a teenage Rehoboam who doesn't really believe that his Dad knows anything (I think we all went through that stage of development). And Dad begs his sons to give him a chance and listen to what he has to say.

Solomon pleads with his sons not to allow their minds to wander; pay attention to the wisdom that I have learned in life so that you will have an advantage in life over those who refuse to listen to the voice of wisdom. Unfortunately, I think Solomon's sons let their minds wander despite their father's pleading.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Proverbs 6