From January 24, One Year Bible

Today's Scriptures:

Genesis 48:1 ~ 49:33; Matthew 15:29 ~ 16:12; Psalm 20:1 ~ 9; Proverbs 4:20-27

My One Thought Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27 (NIV)

“My son, pay attention to what I say;

listen closely to my words.

Do not let them out of your sight,

keep them within your heart;

for they are life to those who find them

and health to a man's whole body.

Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life.

Put away perversity from your mouth;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Let your eyes look straight ahead,

fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet

and take only ways that are firm.

Do not swerve to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil.”

We probably all agree that if parents could convince their children to “listen” a lot of sadness and grief could be avoided. Parents have already made the mistakes and do not want to see their children repeat them.

The writer of this Proverb has several bits of advice to offer and since I have probably been guilty of each of these at some time, I would say that the most important thing he says is that we should “listen” or “pay attention”. Some of the “direct” or specific things he tells us are: “put away perversity from your mouth...” (Oh, how that needs to be addressed today); “Let your eyes look straight ahead...” (King David made that mistake and you see what it cost him); “Make level paths for your feet...” (things will go along much easier and will less effort); and “Do not swerve to the right or left...” (the shortest distance between two points is a straight line). Sounds like practical advice to me!