Proverbs 13

Read Proverbs 13

“A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.” The infection of sin in this world has hurt family relationships. Jesus Christ, who heard the voice of His Father and obeyed, is able to repair the damage.

Jesus knew when to speak and when to say nothing. He did all that His Father asked of Him. He was obedient to the instruction of the Almighty, even offering Himself up for us when He died on the cross as our ransom.

“Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless.” In addition to paying our debt to God and supplying all the goodness that we would need to live at peace with the Father, Christ has become for us the way that we can follow. If we want to know what it means to walk in the light, we can look to Him and live as He lived.

His teaching and His life are one. Everything about Him is a source of refreshment to all who trust in His Name. “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”

Those who proclaim to us the Name of the Lord are called to be the loyal ambassadors of the Messiah. “A faithful envoy brings healing.” We do not have the liberty to correct our King who died on the cross and rose again from the dead on the third day. Anyone who would be a messenger for Him must listen to Him and follow Him.

Jesus' instructions to us are not cruel, but are designed for our eternal well being. They spring from a perfect heart of love. “Whoever heeds reproof is honored.” As the Word of Christ dwells richly within us, our affections change, and the Lord will grant to us the renewed desires of our hearts in fullest measure since He is the Author of every blessing.

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise.” We have become companions to a King who has all knowledge and discernment. “Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.” We have not spurned His discipline, for we know that the hand of the Lord is merciful and good, though we may suffer for a time. A new day will come. He will satisfy us with perfect joy forevermore in His glorious presence.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Heavenly Father, is there some way that we could have the power to guard our hearts and our tongues? Sin that proceeds from our hearts seems to overthrow us. Please change us in our inner being, and renew us according to the purest and best desires that could only come from You. Point us toward the way of life according to Your Word. Help us to receive that Word through faithful ambassadors. May our inheritance that we leave for future generations be full of Your wisdom. Make us diligent in the love and discipline of our children. Raise up the next generation according to Your holy will.