How many of us have heard our parents’ advice but not followed it? Perhaps that is why the writer of Proverbs 4 begins with a forthright plea to his young son that he listen closely, learn common sense, and not turn away. Such admonitions are usually given because the propensity for doing just that is all too common. Human nature is perverse. Tell a child to go one way and he will want to go the other.
Read More common sense, adviceThe writer of this proverb repeats his admonition to his son to “be wise and learn good sense.” He charges him to remember the advice and act upon it. Perhaps the father is imagining those times when his son will face challenges in his life and be tempted to follow a path that is not wise. He knows that if his son has pondered truth in his heart and mind, he will be more likely to follow it.
Read More wisdomWe were in the middle of a deep cave in Papua New Guinea when our guide said, “I will leave you now to bring the others.” When he disappeared around a bend, taking the only flashlight with him, the darkness was complete. We dared not move from where we stood for fear of falling over or into something that could harm us.
Read More obedienceA lot of things seem to come in three’s. My favourite series of books is a threesome. When things break down in our home it always seems that three things go all at the same time. I can’t seem to sneeze only once or twice. It’s a proven fact that our minds are tuned to remember things that are grouped in triplicate.
Read More wisdom, listen, rememberWhat keeps us from telling the truth? Most often it is fear of what others will think, fear of rejection. These things come from a deep seated insecurity.
When I left university after discarding my goal of becoming a journalist, I had no idea what to do or where to go. I wandered for a long time, travelling to Canada’s far north, believing that living day by day was the best way to go
Read More securityIn these verses the father warns his son about falling into the web of an immoral person. He describes one whose words may be “as sweet as honey and as smooth as olive oil,” but whose character is ruined by sin. He warns that associating with such people will only lead to “bitter poison and pain.”
Read More wisdom, wordsRegret can be a devastating and damaging thing to live with. The writer of these verses in Proverbs 5 is trying to keep his son from ending up in a place where he will be overwhelmed and ruined by it. The warning is clear — stay away!
Read More temptationThese verses are straightforward advice about marriage. They are a warning to remain faithful, to be content, to be happy, to “stay deeply in love.” Contrary to the modern day norm, the writer of this proverb seems to assume that all of these things are attainable, not matters of fate or fancy, but matters of choice and deliberate intention. And the key is faithfulness.
Read More faithfulness, marriage“Big Brother is watching.” The phrase, from George Orwell’s book, 1984, has become a common slogan in the modern age, and it always has a negative connotation. We don’t want to be watched because we don’t want to be judged. We don’t want to be judged because we know we are guilty. But the scripture is clear—God watches and there is nothing he misses.
Read More grace, justiceThere is a place and a need for humility in our lives. We are all liable to get ourselves into difficult places from time to time, places that require us to bow our heads and perhaps even bend our knees and swallow a large dose of humility. It’s not easy to do because pride is predominant in our human nature. No one wants to admit failure or weakness or defeat. No one wants to admit to needing help. But humility can go a long way to restoring us to our rightful place before God.
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