Proverbs 12

Read Proverbs 12

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” God has His good ways of correcting us and training us for the perfection of heavenly life over the course of our brief stay here below. It is wise to take that discipline to heart and to learn from it. It is good to change and to become more like Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband.” God has chosen a glorious bride for His Son, and He is patiently and honorably working all things in heaven and on earth toward a joyful union between Jesus and this beloved bride, the perfected church. We will be the crown of our Husband. His heavenly house will endure forever.

“He who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” None of our Lord's pursuits are worthless. He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. Every Word of our God proceeds from a heart of wisdom that loves mercy and is committed to justice and truth.

Impatient men rush ahead in ways that are out of accord with all sense. When Jesus came to establish our eternal blessedness through His own death and resurrection, every thought of His heart was wise, every word that He spoke was good, and all of His actions of love were pure.

Our Lord planned eternal peace for us, and then He patiently fulfilled all righteousness in order to achieve His holy purposes. His conscience is clear. He has great joy right now as He contemplates the fruit that is coming to Him from His holy life.

“In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.” Jesus took the death that we deserved and was raised again in victory. He loves us with an everlasting love. There is no higher wisdom than to humbly receive our Father's discipline today and to follow Jesus.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, we want to know things, but do we really love true wisdom? Grant to Your people wisdom in friendships as we move toward maturity. We need to have good sense in the choice of a companion for life. Please protect us from evil and foolish impulses. Teach us to listen to good advice, and to test all things rightly according to Your Word. Help us to make good plans that will lead to true peace. The way of laziness and sin seems so close to us at all times. Help us to be up and about our duties, and to grow in close communion with You.