"My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD
Or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast. My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion, So they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely
And your foot will not stumble." (Proverbs 3:11-18, 21-23 NASB)
One thing that much of our generation hates is discipline, but worse when it comes in an undignified manor. We tend to "throw the baby out with the bath water" and disregard that discipline from our God-given authorities when done in harshness. We do the same when encouragement comes or even prophetic utterances over us, if delivered, again, in a less than dignified way.
But the key line is this: "How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding..."
We can disregard both discipline & encouragement when we receive them as mere words of man, but the blessing comes when we receive it in way that allows the Lord's voice to be heard through it, regardless of its deliverer.
One of my favorite key verses came from David while being pursued by his enemies in 2 Samuel 16:5-10...
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, 'Curse David,' then who shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"
David was known as a man after God's heart...
Or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast. My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion, So they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely
And your foot will not stumble." (Proverbs 3:11-18, 21-23 NASB)
One thing that much of our generation hates is discipline, but worse when it comes in an undignified manor. We tend to "throw the baby out with the bath water" and disregard that discipline from our God-given authorities when done in harshness. We do the same when encouragement comes or even prophetic utterances over us, if delivered, again, in a less than dignified way.
But the key line is this: "How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding..."
We can disregard both discipline & encouragement when we receive them as mere words of man, but the blessing comes when we receive it in way that allows the Lord's voice to be heard through it, regardless of its deliverer.
One of my favorite key verses came from David while being pursued by his enemies in 2 Samuel 16:5-10...
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, 'Curse David,' then who shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"
David was known as a man after God's heart...
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