It was difficult for me to pick a verse today. I certainly don't count myself to have arrived, but many of the warnings that are given in this chapter are things that God has already done in my life or things He protected me from in my younger days. I haven't had opportunity to eat with really rich people, I've never drunk alcohol - much less been drunk, I followed my parents teachings and my children followed mine...
I suppose the reason I can say this is because I had parents who not only spoke of the things of God, but actually lived lives that followed Him. And because I listened to them and followed them I was able to teach my children the same way. Now I see them bringing up their children to love God and follow Him with all their heart. So I guess I'll chose these verses as my verse for the day because I have found them to be very true in my life.
15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will indeed rejoice. 16 My innermost being will cheer when your lips say what is right.
It brings great joy to my heart to see my children and grandchildren living godly lives.
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v. 12 - Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge. (NASB)
v. 12 - Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge. (the Message)
When I first saw "apply" I thought of painting, how you have to layer color to really have it applied to and stand out from a canvas. Applying yourself to discipline is more than sitting in a service or class and checking the block of "I attended." It is listening (opening your ears) and then layering that onto your life. Really absorbing the teachings of God, through the Bible and through "tested knowledge" of others (pastors, teachers, mentors) is what it takes to go from being a surface Christian to a mature one.
There are those who, as it has been said, are a mile wide but only an inch deep in their Christianity. I strive to be the Mariana Trench.
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