Title: “A Father’s Words”

Scripture Read: Proverbs 4

Key Verse: “When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender and only a child of my mother, he taught me and said,  “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.”   Proverbs 4:4

Observations:
Solomon gives us a clear and powerful metaphor and picture so we experience the weight of what he is saying.  The recollection of when his father taught him something.  He is young, innocent and impressionable.  Because of the imagery, it changes the communication.  The respect and anticipation exchanged between a father and son is capturing.  I can see Solomon staring into the eyes of his father, hanging on every word, loving the fact that he took the time to tell him his heart.  He shares meaningful words, every one he is hanging on.  Every word is life-giving and means something to the son.  The hope the son has to one day be like dad causes him to listen.  There is nothing more powerful than an exchange between a parent and a child.  So much possibility for love and understanding of what God thinks of us, what he wants for us.  Solomon says to us today, don’t ignore what your Father says…come back to me, be careful, see the possibility of what could be in your life if you had wisdom.

Applications:
Until I had children, I did not understand certain aspects of God’s love for me.  So many times as men, we are deficient in communicating, communicating the most important things.  I remember being a young boy and I would climb up on my Dad, he would tell me how much he believed in me.  How much he loved me, wanted the best in me.  Sometimes he would tell me just by looking at me.  If I could go back, I would rewind and become a little boy again.  I would appreciate the simplicity of the moment in hearing from my dad as a child.  This is what God is doing with us.  I fully realize my need for a dad and a Father in heaven to look over me.  I need God to listen to and heed instruction from.  I fully realize some who may be reading this did not have a healthy interaction with your father.  You should know that Jesus is there for you to interact with.  He asks you to climb up on his lap and listen.  That is what these 31 days are all about.  You have a father.  He loves you.  His name is Jesus.  Tonight, I am going to go home to my kids and sit them on my lap so my son and daughter have something to write about, a story to tell.  A father who loved him and wanted for them to be poured out for the name of Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord, my prayer is simple today, may my children’s wisdom exceed mine by 100 fold.  May you keep them and may they be revered in your kingdom as wise and faithful followers of Jesus.