From: December 8, 2024
“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother… Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart” (Proverbs 29:15, 17 ESV).
In our reading from the book of Proverbs today, Solomon directs our attention to the stewardship of parenting. He offers both warning and instruction for mothers and fathers who would raise children who “give delight to your heart.”
First, the warning: “A child left to himself brings shame.” This warning is addressed to mothers, but might be applied to both parents. Perhaps mothers are emphasized because they might be more apt to indulgence as a child matures from infancy, continuing to “baby” him when bolder parenting is needed. She would never leave a child to himself without food, clothing, or shelter. But she might leave him to himself concerning the “rod and reproof,” excusing his behavior saying, “He’s just tired. He’s not usually like this. He’s too young to understand.”
Certainly there are parents who abandon children, not caring for their physical needs. Yet much more common are parents who neglect the rod and reproof, which is discipline and correction, in raising children. They seek to be the child’s friend, rather than being his parent. Yet if they would parent a child when he is young, they are more apt to be his friend when he grows up.
The parent who would delight in their children will not neglect to discipline them when they are young. And always remembering that raising children is a stewardship from the Lord. We must not leave children to themselves.
PRAYER: Dear Father, give us strength and wisdom to raise our children. Strength, because we often feel exhausted raising little ones. Wisdom, because every child is unique and we need Your insight to raise them up in the way they should go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 8, 2023
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1 NLT).
The Lord spoke through the prophet Hosea reminding Israel of His love and how He had brought them out of Egypt. Yet, here He used the phrase “my son,” which made the verse not only a reminder of God’s expressed love in the past, but also His intended manifestation of love in the future. For this is one of over 300 Messianic prophecies fulfilled in the coming of Christ Jesus.
The gospel of Matthew quoted this verse from Hosea when recounting the Christmas story. For it was fulfilled when Joseph obeyed the angel’s instruction to carry Jesus to Egypt to avoid King Herod’s murderous plan and then later to return after Herod’s death (Matt. 2:15).
The Bible is primarily about God. It is a love story and Christ is its lead character. Yet, we are the object of His love. And one Day soon Christ will return and will call us out of Egypt to abide with Him forever!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed when we consider the way Jesus has fulfilled the Scriptures. Yet, we long for the rest of the story. For we look for the Day of Christ’s return when You call us out of Egypt, out of this world to be with You forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 8, 2022
DO YOU BUILD OTHERS UP IN THE FAITH?
Jude, the brother of James and the half-brother of the Lord Jesus, though he called himself his slave, wrote this little letter. He called on believers to “build each other up.” This in contrast to those he warned against who were busy “creating divisions” among believers. Unlike these scoffers who sought to tear one another down, believers were to edify one another in their “most holy faith.”
How do we build one another up in the faith? Jude goes on to give some instruction. First on his list is prayer. He says we are to “pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Then he says we are to “show mercy to those whose faith is wavering” and “rescue” others who are in danger of the fires of judgment.
Pray, show mercy, rescue, these are a few of the ways we can build one another up in the faith. So which are you? Are you a divider or a builder? Are you praying for fellow believers, showing mercy and reaching out to rescue those in danger? Lets be those who build each other up in the most holy faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray for the power of Your Holy Spirit to strengthen us this day that we might encourage and edify other believers in the faith. And help us to humbly receive the edification of others towards us as well. For we are the body of Christ and we rely on You, but we also need one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 8, 2016
The Old Testament prophets usually referred to Israel in the feminine. Hosea continued that tradition by beginning his book with references to Israel’s “harlotry,” even being called of God to take a “wife of harlotry” to illustrate the depth of Israel’s sin. But here, Hosea quoted the Lord calling Israel “my son.” Certainly, this passage must refer to Israel being led out of bondage in Egypt. Yet, the switch to the masculine signals something more. The apostle Matthew certainly thought so. For he quoted this verse as being fulfilled when Joseph carried Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution and then brought him out after Herod’s death (Matt. 2:15). There are over 300 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament and Christ fulfilled every one.
From: December 8, 2015
The Old Testament prophets usually referred to Israel in the feminine gender. Hosea continued that tradition by beginning his book with references to Israel’s “harlotry,” even being called of God to take a “wife of harlotry” to illustrate the depth of Israel’s sin. But here, Hosea quoted the Lord calling Israel “My son.” No doubt this passage must refer to Israel being led out of bondage in Egypt. Yet, the switch to the masculine must signal something more. Matthew certainly thought so, for he quoted this verse as being fulfilled in Christ when Joseph carried him to Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution (Matt. 2:15). There are over 300 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament and Christ fulfilled every one.