Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Proverbs 1:10, 15 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path ...
LESSONS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR ... FROM PROVERBS (2)
A toddler runs toward a busy street laughing and playing. He doesn't understand the danger present in the cars that are speeding by him without noticing his tiny frame. Why should he be afraid? These cars just look like larger versions of his toys.
In a busy but momentarily unattended kitchen, another toddler sees a bright orange glow coming from the burner atop the stove. It seems to be the same color as his little ball, the one that he's been trying to find. On tiptoe he reaches to touch the hot burner.
Still another young child sits quietly in the corner of the living room, looking at the screwdriver his father forgot to put away. He notices the wall outlet and concludes that it would be the perfect place to stick the shiny screwdriver. After crawling across the room, he reaches out to insert the tool into the electrical outlet.
Suddenly a fatherly voice cries out: "STOP! Don't you ever go near the road without me! ... STOP! Don't touch that it's hot! ... STOP! Don't put that in there, you'll get hurt!" The lower lip of the startled toddler begins to quiver and with wide eyes he begins to cry. Then with loving concern his father lifts his child out of harm's way and comforts him, saying, "My Son, don't be afraid, I love you. I don't want you to get hurt."
A loving father disciplines, admonishes, and encourages because he doesn't want his children to be hurt in body or soul.
The words of our text this morning are also the words of a loving father to his children. But these are not merely the words of Solomon to his son, they are the words of our loving Heavenly Father. He wants no evil of body or soul to fall upon us. That's why He in love sent His own dear Son to live the innocent life we could not and to lay down His life so we might have a place in His house forevermore.
