Day 4: Righteousness, Justice, and EquityProverbs 1:3 To receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity. The other day, one of my boys struck his brother with malicious intent because he wanted the toy that his brother was not sharing. He then spit out the most horrible insult he could conjure: “You’re not my best friend.” His sense of fairness had been violated, so he sought to make things right by force. Realize dads, that you are often called upon as judge and jury because your children are infinitely creative in finding ways to fight. Study Proverbs, therefore, “to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity” (1:3). “To receive instruction” again restates the need for “discipline” (v. 2a) and “wise dealing” describes the discernment and insight to reason your way through complex situations. Discernment is . . .
0 Comments
Day 3: DiscernmentProverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. One challenge of raising boys is that they are perpetually hungry (except at mealtimes when they like to mess around). So I must often remind my boys, “No, you may not have a snack half-an-hour before dinner.” We teach them that sugar is not a food group and, “Yes, you do have to eat your vegetables.” Dads, when children are young, you make most of their decisions for them. Yet as they grow older, you teach them to take responsibility: “What do you think about your friend’s comment? What’s the right decision in this situation? What are some ways you can spend your birthday money? What makes this college better than that one?” You train your children how to make decisions on their own, so that when they leave your home they possess a measure of wisdom for themselves.
Suppose my son goes off to college and one day gives me a call: “Hey dad. The guys are going out for pizza Friday night. Can I go? Can I?” I would say to him . . . Day 2: Wisdom and InstructionProverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. As a concerned father, it always frightened me when my boys ran out into the street as they often did. So I never brushed it off with a wave of my hand: “Ahhh, boys will be boys.” I did not compliment their speed and agility or wait for something terrible to happen, hoping they would learn from their mistakes. (There is a time and place for that, but not in the middle of the street). Instead, I would shout with urgency, “Stop! Get out of the street!” I reprimanded out of love. For my rules were for their good, just as God’s rules are for our good. In the safety of our home, I then carefully explained why I did not want them running in the street.
IntroductionKing Solomon, of ancient Israel, wrote these proverbs as a father to his son — wisdom for a future dad. So also, these ten-minute devotions from Proverbs are a gift to new dads who have taken up the blessed privilege of parenting. They are by no means exhaustive, for I write as a father repeatedly humbled by my weaknesses. By God’s grace, I am learning through both successes and failures how to raise my children as my heavenly Father is raising me. Our family is certainly not the model of perfection, but fellow travelers seeking to follow the path of God’s wisdom. Every bend in the road presents still further challenges, yet by God’s all-sufficient Word “the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17).
I have written primarily to Christian dads, but all are invited to peer through this window of biblical parenting. I hope you will read these verses from God’s Word, consider the practical wisdom they offer, and be drawn in by the beauty of God’s design for your family. Each of these forty devotions begins with a Proverb to be memorized. I encourage you to write down each one to reflect on throughout the day and treasure in your heart. You will be blessed by the overflowing benefits of God’s enduring wisdom. I also share humorous anecdotes from our own family’s experience to demonstrate how the wisdom of Proverbs applies to everyday life. Each devotion includes an explanation from Scripture and ends with a simple prayer to direct your heart to God. Consider writing your own prayer of response or ideas for application in the space provided. May you be blessed by the reading and application of God’s Word! |
Receive UpdatesJoin The TLP Family and receive email updates when we publish new articles and episodes.
Subscribe to Our PodcastCategories
All
Archives
July 2024
|