"My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."
The foolish child does not understand correction. It is a heavy, unbearable, mean-spirited thing done to him. The wise child understands that correction is something done for him, something beneficial, helpful, and loving. Why does a father delight in his wise son? Because the wise son appreciates his father's correction. He knows while it is not immediately pleasurable, it is for his own good in the long run. He trusts the loving hand of his father to provide good for him, and not do him any evil. This son is a delight.
Psalms 1:1-6 compares the good person to fruitful and valuable grain, and the wicked, sinful scorner to the chaff which the wind driveth away. The circumstances of life will beat down on the foolish child, until he can not stand. God's blessings will not be on his life, and his path is one that will end in sadness and despair.
The father of a fool can only hope that once broken of his pride and stubbornness, the foolish child will return to God, repent of his wicked choices, and learn that his father was a loving guide to be respected and followed. How much better to determine early to be a strong tree, planted by the rivers, sinking down roots into the ground and drinking deeply of the water of the Word? Who would choose to be the worthless chaff, which the wind driveth away leaving a forgotten life void of accomplishment, blessings, good influence on others, and joy?
Proverbs 9:1-18
Proverbs 9:12 "If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it."
What a great verse on personal responsibility. I would love to be able to make all the decisions for my kids. Even though I know I would make some wrong decisions, I would make many more right ones than sometimes I see them making! But God has chosen to give us free will on the most important decision - salvation! We only have what my husband refers to as "the illusion of control" over many of their other decisions in life. We can force them to go to church, but we can not force them to accept the truths of God's Word. We can force them to eat healthy, but we can not force them to never harm their bodies through other unhealthy behaviors. We can force them not to argue with their siblings, but we can not force them to love one another.
As a parent it is hard to realize, especially for me in the teen years, that you have less control than you ever imagined. However, it is comforting to know that God is the Author of free choice. Adam and Eve had three sons, and the very first child ever born, exercised his free will in committing murder against his own brother. Judas, who spent time with the very Son of God, exercised his own free will in rejecting Christ, and betraying Him to the jealous leaders who wanted to kill Him.
Because God is the Author of free will, I know that it is a good thing. All we can do is influence them, and try to bring them up to follow the Guide of God's Word. The choice is theirs.
What a great verse on personal responsibility. I would love to be able to make all the decisions for my kids. Even though I know I would make some wrong decisions, I would make many more right ones than sometimes I see them making! But God has chosen to give us free will on the most important decision - salvation! We only have what my husband refers to as "the illusion of control" over many of their other decisions in life. We can force them to go to church, but we can not force them to accept the truths of God's Word. We can force them to eat healthy, but we can not force them to never harm their bodies through other unhealthy behaviors. We can force them not to argue with their siblings, but we can not force them to love one another.
As a parent it is hard to realize, especially for me in the teen years, that you have less control than you ever imagined. However, it is comforting to know that God is the Author of free choice. Adam and Eve had three sons, and the very first child ever born, exercised his free will in committing murder against his own brother. Judas, who spent time with the very Son of God, exercised his own free will in rejecting Christ, and betraying Him to the jealous leaders who wanted to kill Him.
Because God is the Author of free will, I know that it is a good thing. All we can do is influence them, and try to bring them up to follow the Guide of God's Word. The choice is theirs.
Proverbs 8:1-36
Proverbs 8:4 "Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man."
Wisdom calls to all men. As much as all are invited by folly and sin to do the wrong thing, and shake their figurative fists in the face of God, wisdom calls to love God, obey God, and follow God's paths of righteousness. Calvinism is rearing it's ugly head once again, and some people are left wondering if God has indeed a "call" on their soul. Know that God calls all men to repentance, as wisdom calls all men to learn of truth, and forsake wickedness.
"For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips."
The wisdom of the world is foolishness with God; but the wisdom of God, is foolishness to a wicked world, who run after folly, and are blinded to it's end: destruction.
Wisdom calls to all men. As much as all are invited by folly and sin to do the wrong thing, and shake their figurative fists in the face of God, wisdom calls to love God, obey God, and follow God's paths of righteousness. Calvinism is rearing it's ugly head once again, and some people are left wondering if God has indeed a "call" on their soul. Know that God calls all men to repentance, as wisdom calls all men to learn of truth, and forsake wickedness.
"For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips."
The wisdom of the world is foolishness with God; but the wisdom of God, is foolishness to a wicked world, who run after folly, and are blinded to it's end: destruction.
Proverbs 20:1-30
Proverbs 20:1-30
Proverbs 20:3 "It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling."
"Every fool will be meddling." It sounds like some southern axiom muttered from the corner of a grandma's mouth, as she sits in her porch rocker! You can almost hear the southern drawl.
How true that when we unwisely get in the middle of a fight between two people, we often end up with the black eye and the busted lip. Not only should we not strive with others, but we need to stay out of other's troubles. There is a time to help...and a time to let them work it out on their own. We can be a peacemaker without getting directly involved, and sometimes that is the wisest way.
Proverbs 20:3 "It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling."
"Every fool will be meddling." It sounds like some southern axiom muttered from the corner of a grandma's mouth, as she sits in her porch rocker! You can almost hear the southern drawl.
How true that when we unwisely get in the middle of a fight between two people, we often end up with the black eye and the busted lip. Not only should we not strive with others, but we need to stay out of other's troubles. There is a time to help...and a time to let them work it out on their own. We can be a peacemaker without getting directly involved, and sometimes that is the wisest way.
Proverbs 19:1-29
Proverbs 19:1-29
Proverbs 19:9 "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish."
Sometimes it seems like the wicked are getting by with their sin. David put it like this, "For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked...They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment...they have more than heart could wish."
But toward the end of that chapter, we see the real conclusion. Psalm 73:17 "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." The Judge stands at the door. One day all the wrongs will be righted. Those who think themselves rich, will stand naked in their poverty.
"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13
Proverbs 19:9 "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish."
Sometimes it seems like the wicked are getting by with their sin. David put it like this, "For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked...They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment...they have more than heart could wish."
But toward the end of that chapter, we see the real conclusion. Psalm 73:17 "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." The Judge stands at the door. One day all the wrongs will be righted. Those who think themselves rich, will stand naked in their poverty.
"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13
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