Day 24 - "A wise son heeds his father's instruction"
Today's Reading is Proverbs 13:1-12 (NIV)
A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence. Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. A person's riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Dishonestly gained wealth dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Questions to Consider about the Reading
- How do you respond when someone tries to correct or instruct you?
- What does it mean to "guard your lips" and how can this preserve your life?
- How does pride create strife in relationships, and how can taking advice bring wisdom?
- When have you experienced the heart-sickness of deferred hope or the joy of fulfilled longing?
What's One Thing God Wants You to Underline?Ending Prayer
Father, help me be teachable and willing to receive instruction rather than mocking those who try to help me. Guard my lips so my words bring good things rather than ruin. Keep me from pride that causes strife, and make me wise enough to take good advice. When hope seems deferred, help me trust in your timing. Amen.