Love and faithfulness are important character qualities. Both involve actions as well as attitudes. A loving person not only feels love; he or she also acts loyal and responsibly. A faithful person not only believes the truth; he or she also works for justice for others. Thoughts and words are not enough, our lives reveal whether we are truly loving and faithful.
In the Book of Proverbs within the third chapter, the Word speaks of the LORD's discipline. As a father speaking to his son passing along encouraging words of wisdom. Informing that the LORD'S disciple is the other side of God's grace. We, as children of the Highest, should cherish God's correction in our lives because God disciplines those He loves (Heb 2:7-10). The Beatitudes of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:3-12) work much the way these verses are found in Proverbs. God is pleased with people who discover that wisdom is a priceless treasure.
Here we find one of the most beloved, quoted, and memorized scripture on trusting in God; "Trust in the LORD, with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding." (5 & 6) I read to trust the LORD means more than believing in who He is and what He says, but to place your confidence in Him. "Trust Him where you can't trace Him!" Even the blind man that sat by the roadside, calling out to Him trusted that He could heal him, having not seen but heard of this Man called Jesus, son of David.
Solomon the author of Proverbs, was inspired by God to write to his sons, to provide them with instruction to open their minds and hearts to all that is around them. To shun evil and do good, to be helpers of another to seek the paths of righteousness, and to stay up on the path once found. In trusting in the instructions we find that God's mercy is promising, and His truth in performing.
We have a rich history to pass along to our next generation and that history is of all the LORD has done for us then and now. Therefore, pass along to your children, your sons, and daughters the wisdom found here in these verses of scripture in Proverbs. Parents must exhort their children to pursue wisdom and avoid evil. Young people need to know the proper route to take, but they also need to recognize the telltale warning signs of a path that leads to destruction.
Blessings,
Elder Barbara
FLB|TEBC|LAB|HSB
