June 12, 2020
The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!
Life is hard without some degree of discipline. Anyone who resents or rejects discipline is headed for a difficult road ahead. Our reading today speaks to the heart and character of a person, and the consequences suffered by those who are irreconcilable and rebellious.
When a person rejects God’s discipline, they suffer personally. However, those that they associate with can also experience the dire consequences of their wicked actions and attitudes. When a leader lives a life contrary to God, the whole community and even a nation can suffer.
In contrast, the righteous learn from discipline. They are attentive to the needs of the suffering (v.7) and replace unneeded and unhelpful rhetoric in a community with calm and peace (v.8). A child left to his own devices without the seasoned and loving discipline of parents brings heartache to themselves and those that love them (v.15). If people are not given hope and vision from God’s word, they scatter in every direction (v.18).
The person who welcomes the discipline of God, the truth of his Word, and keeps God’s law not only experiences the blessings of God in their own life, but they are also a blessing to others!
Proverbs 29
29 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king builds up the land,
but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
and seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
will in the end find him his heir.
22 A man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23 One’s pride will bring him low,
but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief hates his own life;
he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- How do you receive correction or discipline? Is it something you resent, or do you welcome constructive criticism and correction? Do you willingly receive God’s discipline?
Great is Thy faithfulness, ” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Dp / Rice Christopher M
I absolutely love this hymn……..and could hear the music as I read the words.
Thank you for sharing. Beautiful!
I so love this song. I have sang it in choir. I understand the scripture I have read. I want to never live a life of shame. I want to be truthful and live a balanced life. I ask this in Jesus name Amen
So could I
Dear Heavenly Father,
I long to read in Your Word each day. It is my rule book and my daily companion. I welcome any correction that I am shown because I want to live a life pleasing to You. I know when I align my thinking with You, my life will flow so much more smoothly. With all of the chaos in the world, we need a Savior. I know I can find peace and comfort in Your promises. I am reminded that You love us and You are already making a home for us to live with You forever. You will never leave us or forsake us. When we speak Your name,You will answer. If we would only incline our ears to You, we will hear You beckon…”follow me”. Thank You for loving me and sending Your Holy Spirit that lives in my heart today. Please examine me and give me a clean heart, Oh Lord, I pray. In Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.
Father, thank you for another day. Another day to worship you and to serve you. Another day to love my wife, my children and grandchildren. Another day to serve others, to teach others your ways, another day to encourage others. Father, our country is ablaze. The devil is seeking more souls to kill, steal and destroy. Today, may I stand against the evil in our land. Enable me, Father, to do your will. Speak through me this day. I cannot do everything. But because I cannot do everything, I refuse to do nothing. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Father, may I not flee from the battles before me but totally surrender to your will and your desire that no one be lost. Together, let’s be going to save one more soul for your precious son, Jesus. Amen
Amen??.
What am I giving my life to? Following Jesus every day & leading others to do the same.
Prob. 29:18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
So grateful for your leadership, pastor Trammell!
Thank you for keeping to His word and leading us in His path.
Thank you for your leadership to get CFBC to the other side – Aug 9th
Pastor Stephen, that is the same verse that I focused on in my reading! Absolutely, “blessed is he who keeps the law.”
I put my trust in the Lord. Help me, God, to keep my ways straight.
Thank you Lord for always discipline me when I tend to get ahead of your plans for me. I have heard your Holy Spirit tell me to let you handle it not me and I thank you for your loving hands around Walt and me.
“Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger.” Proverbs 29:8 (NLT)
Father,
Thank you for Your Word that gives us wisdom and truth. I pray the Holy Spirit will fill me today so I may speak words of peace and encouragement to those in need.
In Jesus’s name.
Amen.
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Lord, give me your vision for my life. Help me lead with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Help me be an irresistible influence to inspire others to follow you, through me.
Amen!
I love the questions that are put before us and they make us look deeper inside along with reading the Proverb.
I welcome criticism and discipline as my belief is that “if you don’t know better, you can’t do better”. My parents taught me that you can say anything to anybody, it is how you say it. If it is done with love and grace and truly from the heart it will generally be received well. They also taught me to pray about everything and make sure that my words are God’s words as I am being used by the Holy Spirit.
I love when God disciplines me as this is a reminder of how much he loves me. As I have said before I pray daily for conviction and humility because it is very easy to lose sight of the simple things that we all do during the course of a day. I struggle daily with traffic and people driving extremely slow in the fast lane and I love how I am convicted when I get impatient with them. God generally reminds me that most of the time there is a reason and for me to be patient and calm down.
Jesus, thank you for discipline and thank you for loving me when I am unloveable. Thank you for showing no favoritism when it comes to people. Help me to see things the way you see them. Amen.
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They rod and stall they comfort me.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
I know we have all things done to us that we didn’t deserve and maybe we won’t see justice this side of Heaven, but I trust that God will make all things right. In our current situation as a nation, I pray that we look to the Lord for peace, guidance and healing and not depend on a “ruler” to do what only God can do.