Day 4 of Proverbs

Day 4 of Proverbs, March 8, 2013

Proverbs 4 contains instructions from a father to his son about getting and keeping wisdom.

“HEAR, MY sons, the instruction of a father, and pay attention in order to gain and to know intelligent discernment, comprehension, and interpretation [of spiritual matters].” (Proverbs 4:1 AMP)

To this father, it is a matter of life and death, a matter of SPIRITUAL life and death as well as physical life and death. Choosing wisdom is choosing LIFE. That is how important the choice is in the eyes of this Father.

“6. Forsake not [Wisdom], and she will KEEP, DEFEND, and PROTECT you; love her, and she will GUARD you.

13. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your LIFE.

20. My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. 21. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. 22. For they are LIFE to those who find them, HEALING and HEALTH to all their flesh. 23. Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of LIFE.” (Proverbs 4:6, 13, 20-23 AMP)

This father has taught his son well. He has diligently given his son insight into the ways and purposes of God.

“I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness.”(Proverbs 4:11 AMP)

In light of this, I have think about the teaching of my own sons. How well did I do in teaching them wisdom? Did I emphasize well enough the importance of wise life choices? What kind of a practical example was I to them? Tough questions, but necessary…..

My sons were a gift, loaned to me for a short while before they made their way out of my home and into this world. I know I made mistakes, and I often failed in bringing them up, as do all parents, because we are human. I seek forgiveness for my own weaknesses, my own lack of understanding, while at the same time celebrating the mercy and the goodness of God toward all of us and the strength He gave me, by the power of His Spirit, to keep on keeping on until this day, despite my own shortcomings.

When I look at my life, I see that God has been so good to me, so patient, so loving…..I still have a LOT to learn and by the grace of God, I will do all I can to search out and pray for wisdom in family matters, and in my own personal life until the day I breathe my last breath and leave this earth for my new home….. /

❤ ❤ ❤