Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 19:26-27(KJV):
26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

Proverbs 19:24-25(AMP):
26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction only to ignore it and stray from the words of knowledge.

Thoughts for the Day:

Great wisdom for young people can be found in the book of Proverbs.  Verse 26 states that a son (or daughter) who wastes his father, and chases away his mother (will not listen to her) will cause the family shame and reproach. When we look at the dictionary definition of the word "waste", we can better understand what this means. Quoting from Webster's New World Dictionary the word "waste" means: (1.) to destroy; devastate; ruin (2.) to wear away; consume gradually; use up (3.) to make weak, feeble, wear away strength ....(4.) to use up or spend without real need, gain, or purpose; squander (5.) to fail to take proper advantage of (to waste an opportunity) (6.) (Slang) to kill, usually with violence; esp. to murder.

An evil child who continually rebels and comes against a good father's instructions, in time, will begin to wear away his father and mother.  Many parents who are vexed with unruly children become "worn out" in the process of trying to raise them.  Children who do not take advantage of  having godly parents will live to regret it in time.  The Bible gives instructions to children to obey their parents and also admonishes the parent to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-4:
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

These verses contain a promise to children.  If children will honor and obey their parents things will go well for them and they will live a long life. Children who disobey take the risk of cutting their lives short as rebellion opens the door for evil things to happen to them. An example would be when parents tell their child not to smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs. If the child then disobeys, the use of these substances will cut their lives short.

It is shocking in our world today that there are children who even murder their own parents.  This kind of evil is demonic and can come about when children over a period of time rebel not only against their parents, but they also resist the rules of society and a hatred sets in their hearts that leads them to an act of horror of murdering their own parents.

These verses also tell fathers (and mothers) not to provoke their children to anger.  This means we must use wisdom and love when we deal with our children and not treat them unfairly.  It does not mean that they may not  become angry when they are disciplined and spanked; however, their anger will be short lived when they are disciplined in love.  This does not mean giving children their way in all the things they want to do; however, it does mean that a parent will not exchange angry shouts with their children and act as childish as the youngster. As parents, we need God's help to keep from resorting to angry outbursts where we become out of control.  Uncontrolled anger begats uncontrolled anger.

Verse 27 of Proverbs also tells young people not to listen to the instructions of those who would cause them to stray from their parents instructions.  The knowledge of good parents is a blessing, as it prevents the child from being hurt by evil advice.  Young people are told to stay away from those who would give them knowledge and instruction that is bad.  If children refuse to stay away from those who are hurting them , then the parents must take the action necessary for breaking  up a relationship with someone who is a bad influence on their children.  In doing so this will prevent the shame and reproach that the devil wants to bring upon a family.  It will also prevent the enemy from hurting our children.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us instructions in the Bible as to how we are to help our children.  Help us to be good parents.  Lord, when we need to discipline our children, help us to do so in Your love and not yield to becoming so emotionally upset that we lose our temper and hurt more than help them.  Lord, help us not to shrink from spanking and disciplining our children when they need it knowing that it will cause them to cease from rebellion and evil.  May our children understand Your ways and desire to follow You and have a spirit of obedience.  Lord, heal any breaches between parents and their children and cause our families to walk in Your love.  I ask this in the name of Jesus.  Amen.