"Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life."
Proverbs 4:13
If there is a book in the Bible we need to be encouraging our young ones to read it is Proverbs. One of my favorite chapters is Proverbs 4. David had taught Solomon to pursue wisdom and understanding concerning life from God’s Word. Now Solomon is teaching his own sons the same truths. One of the first steps is to make up your mind that you want wisdom and understanding. It can only come from the God who created us. This Proverb is one all parents should read and follow Solomon’s example of passing onto his son what his father had taught him. Ideally it is the father’s role to teach their sons, but we know many times in life it is the mother who does. It is the role of both parents to do so, and it is certainly as applicable for our daughters as sons. As we study this Proverb you will find many benefits: watchcare and honor, guidance in the way of righteousness and life, health and integrity. Who doesn’t want these attributes for our children?
To reap the full benefit of this devotional you are going to have to take the time to read and ponder the fourth chapter in Proverbs. No matter your age, you will find it beneficial. I remember when I first discovered the Proverbs in my early twenties, I did grab hold of an earnest desire for wisdom, understanding, and discernment. This came through the revelation the Proverbs provided. Now in my sixties I can declare God’s Word to be true as always from a lifetime of experience. Jeremiah 1:12 reads:
Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it."
God always performs His word in His timing, always. That is why the Proverbs tells us it is our lifeline, and it must become our children’s too. In Isaiah 55:11 God declares:
"So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty; without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
This is a promise I continue to cling to where my adult children are concerned. I stand on this promise as I poured the Word into them when they were in my care. I still continue to take every opportunity to share God’s Word with them, because I know it is the highest I can give them as David and Solomon knew. I have seen my daughter do the same with her children and I see the faithfulness of God as I observe her children becoming young adults. Our children must be taught the truth of God’s Word, or they will make their own truth, which comes from the father of lies and deception. Jesus declared in John 8:42-45 when the religious crowd was accusing Him of being born out of fornication:
Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. "
We do not want our children to live a life according to their own nature, but from God’s character and nature. If they aren’t taught the truth, they will live in the lies and deception of satan, because they will not have the truth to counter the lies. That is why the book of Proverbs has so much to offer the young and old. Seek the wisdom and truth of the Almighty God, our Creator and Redeemer, for how to live life on this earth. Making that decision determines how you will spend an eternity. Remember, satan came to kill, steal, and destroy us. (John 10:10) He knows his destiny, and he wants you and your children to have the same.
Revelation 20:10 reveals his destiny:
"And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."
The Bible is clear about Him deceiving many. We do not want to be one of the many. We do not want our children and grandchildren to be one of the many, and be taken to the lake of fire forever and ever. God’s word is truth and He is going to perform it just as it is written. That truth will never change no matter how many do not believe it. This is a choice every human being must make in their lifetime — to believe God’s Word, or to follow the devil full of lies and deception. He is a murderer. He murders his own through the consequences of sin. There is no eternal life to be found in following him, but eternal punishment in a lake of fire and brimstone immersed in solid evil. There is no presence of good or light in the darkness of hell. O dear friends, teach your children well as the Bible teaches us too.
Jeremiah 6:16 proclaims:
Thus says the Lord, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls, but they said, "We will not walk in it."
God forbid we would make the wrong choices for ourselves and our families while there is still time to choose the ancient paths the majority will not trod. We read over and over in our Bibles about the rebellion of man and the consequences. Let us learn well as we seek after the wisdom and understanding of the Proverbs. I will close with Proverbs 4:5-9:
"Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of My mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is; acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding. Prize her, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her, she will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty."
Much to ponder!
In His love.
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
Photos while biking early morning loop around Cades Cove this week in the Great Smokey Mountains! How the Lord blessed my ride! Saw wildlife everywhere and hiked to Abram Falls for a swim!
