Read Proverbs 20:1-33
Highlights:
Deception of wine; sovereignty of God over the kings of the earth; moral virtues rewarded.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Prov. 22:6).
Obedience is the key to pleasing God. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God (Col. 3:22). It is the parents' responsibility to teach their small children to be obedient. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul (Prov. 29:17).
Some parents do not correct their children when they do wrong. But the blessing of the discipline far exceeds the pain, as expressed by the psalmist when he said: Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word (Ps. 119:67).
The cruelest injustice a parent can inflict upon his child is to send him into the world undisciplined. To love is to chasten. The all wise-God has said: He that spareth his rod hateth his son (Prov. 13:24). How contrary to the popular way of thinking! How unrealistic is the philosophy of many parents who say they love their child too much to discipline him! The Lord has said: Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him (22:15). If we really truly love, we must discipline our children. If our children go into this world believing there are no consequences for their behavior, there will be a quick, painful wake-up call in life. They need to learn that there is a cost to everything in life.
Ignoring the need to discipline a child shows a lack of concern for his ultimate destiny. Children are admonished to obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. When discipline is necessary it should be firm, yet it should manifest the gracious love of Christ. Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:1,4).
For every action, there is a reaction. Someone always has rule over you. This could relate to any part of your life. This could be your boss, landlord, or a professor. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you (Heb. 13:17).
Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord . . . For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth (Heb. 12:5-6).
Thought for Today:
Unless a child has learned to be obedient to his parents, he will not learn obedience to God.
Christ Revealed:
As the King who sits on the throne of judgment (Prov. 20:8). For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son (John 5:22).
Word Studies:
20:10 divers, differing; 20:19 meddle not, do not associate; 20:25 make inquiry, reconsider; 21:7 robbery, violence; 21:9 brawling, contentious; 21:14 a reward in the bosom, a secret gift; 22:2 meet together, have this in common; 22:26 sureties for, responsible for.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Barbara Jean Jackson • Country: Myanmar (formerly Burma) (48.1 million) in Southeast Asia • Major languages: Burmese and ethnic languages • Limited religious freedom • 87.5% Buddhist; 6% Christian; 4% Muslim (mainly Sunni); 1% animist; .5% Hindu; 1% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Magnify the Lord; exalt His Name (Ps. 34:3).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:9