Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Proverbs+012
Proverbs 12 (ESV)
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 No one is established by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
REFLECTION:
- If you refuse to study, even if you have been in school for a few years, you will learn very little; however, if you are willing to be taught, you will be successful in your studies. The same is true when we accept God’s discipline. If we are humble and gentle, we can receive heavenly wisdom. On the contrary, if we are proud and hardened and ignore God’s discipline, we will make the same mistakes repeatedly and even worsen. Falls in the same place many times. Reflect if you have made the same mistakes repeatedly in some things?
- “Established” means to get the help of God and achieve long-term success. Only those with integrity have real success. Their success pleases God and can stand the test of time. The wicked may achieve temporary “success” by trickery, but their lives and careers will eventually decay like duckweed without roots. Relying on cheating may be sufficient to pass the exam, relying on tax evasion may be sufficient to get away from paying a large amount of tax, relying on the harsh exploitation of subordinates may be sufficient to win a temporary victory in the commercial competition. In fact, these so-called “successes” are only temporary opportunistic tricks, and they are temporary benefits at the expense of one’s integrity. In the long run, this is not only not a success, but an ignorant act that harmed one’s life. Those who deceive will become more and more dishonest, those who hurt people will become more cruel and cruel, and evil behaviour will only make people do more evil, and eventually become as stupid and deceitful as beasts. God is pleased with us to achieve true success, which is achieved for a long time with integrity and honesty in the grace of God.
PRAYER:
Pray for God to give you a heart that is willing to be taught, to receive God’s grace in your weaknesses and transgressions, and never to fall in the same place. Pray for God to establish you so that you can maintain integrity and honesty in all things. Everything you think and do can withstand God’s examination and can please God.
HYMN:
Come Thou Fount: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYrTqBioaZ4&ab_channel=quellagioiadivivere
