A word to prepare our hearts to receive the message of proverbs 11 today. The times in life we most need the convicting reminder of God‘s word usually require a change of heart to receive it. This is evident in our worship text today. When the prophet Malachi called the returning people of God to order their affairs according to their calling in the promised land, it was not for lack of the book of Proverbs they had failed thus far to do so, but rather their own conviction to apply the words of Solomon.  Hence the prophet called them to repentance in the areas of worship, family, finances, and love of neighbor.  This is the role of preaching yet today.  Thus if any of Solomon’s instruction hits close to our home as it is proclaimed in our ears, let us repent and reform.