September 4, 2011

Proverbs 19:15-29 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 21:1-4, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 7-8

Journal Entry

Scripture

16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;
he who despises his ways will die.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope;
do not set your heart on putting him to death.
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,
and whoever has it rests satisfied;
he will not be visited by harm.

27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Observation

Proverbs say a lot about listening to God's instruction to gain wisdom and live. Who is more wiser than God? If we listen to His commandments and apply them to our lives, we gain hope and life. When we willfully reject God's instruction and do what only pleases us, it leads to harm and eventually death.
In the same way, parents need to discipline their children in the ways of the Lord to give them hope not of themselves and successes of this world but of the eternal life we receive when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son. When we neglect to give them the spiritual discipline and instruction, and only give them the comforts and worldly pleasures, we may inadvertently be leading them to spiritual death.

Application

I have heard parents who say, “I don't want to push my children to believe in Jesus. They should make their own decision when they are ready.” In the mean time they raise the child to believe in themselves and fend for themselves and try THEIR best without the foundation of God's sovereignty in their lives. Many times, it IS inconvenient for the parent and the child to have to give up something in order to follow Christ's way but catering only to the child's needs and wants could lead to eternal separation from God as they will not be aware of God's purpose for their lives.
Although my children are adults now and I can't take them go to church or make them do quiet time but with prayer and gentle reminders, I must continue to let them know God's truth and wisdom is a priority in my life and it should be for them as well.

Prayer

Lord, let me never forget to be obedient to Your Word, being disciplined daily so that my family and I will live in fear of You, which is wisdom. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

--