Daily Devotion of Proverbs 19

Daily Nugget:
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” Proverbs 19:18

Taught in these Proverbs, and other chapters, are child-rearing advice that are often ignored today. God knows what is needed to keep children from being rebellious, uncontrollable, and disobedient. His way is not always a pat on the head, reward them for whatever they do, or being constantly positive to them. Sometimes to guide a child in the right direction, chastening is required.

Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language defines chastening as correcting a child by punishment. God knows the heart of men and children. He knows that children left to themselves without supervision and discipline will be unmanageable and will not make good family members, workers, and citizens.
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Prov. 29:15

It is essential to train and discipline children. Their flesh is exactly like ours; it does not want to do right and must be taught what that way is. Proper, consistent discipline and correction can be the help they need.

Correction shows a child that:

  • There are lines and rules that should not be crossed or broken. Discipline prepares them to follow the laws and the norms of society. 
  • When certain lines are crossed, there are consequences that the violator will pay. Today, many have been sheltered from the results of their bad or inappropriate behavior and decisions. Children have learned, because they were not taught otherwise, that they can do whatever they want without considering how their selfishness affects themselves and others. Because of such poor discipline, they are challenging to be around and eventually difficult to live or with to work. All must be taught there is a price to be paid for doing wrong.
  • They must be considerate of others and their feelings. Life is not just about them.
  • They cannot always have their way. There are others in this world, and their needs also need to be respected. 
  • He needs to have self-control, so others (parents, teachers, police…) do not have to do it for him.
  • That the child is loved enough that the parent will take the time and energy to help the child to do right.
    “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Prov. 13:24
  • That there is a right and wrong way of behaving, dealing with others, and doing things. Correction and training steers a child in the direction he should go.
    “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6 
  • If they do not like the chastening of their parents, can they imagine the chastening that could be done to them by their heavenly Father if one breaks His rules and commandments? Spare the children those lessons by training them up properly when they are young.

It takes patience and love to discipline to train a child properly, and it is very hard work. Unfortunately, too many parents will not devote their time to raise their children properly.  For some reason, some believe the child will raise themself, or they leave that responsibility to others. Our children are our responsibility, and God expects us to train, discipline, and raise them properly.

Today’s Thought: 
“Children have more need of models than of critics.” — Joseph Joubert

Words to Understand:
Chasten: “to correct by punishment” — Noah Webster, 1828
Continual dropping: a steady, annoyance, like that of a dripping spigot.
Intreat: ask

Today’s Reading:
Proverbs 19
1 ¶ Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 ¶ Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3 ¶ The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4 ¶ Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5 ¶ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6 ¶ Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
8 ¶ He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 ¶ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10 ¶ Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 ¶ The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 ¶ The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13 ¶ A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 ¶ House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 ¶ Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 ¶ He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17 ¶ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18 ¶ Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19 ¶ A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20 ¶ Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 ¶ There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22 ¶ The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 ¶ The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24 ¶ A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 ¶ Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26 ¶ He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27 ¶ Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28 ¶ An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29 ¶ Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

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