Parenting by the Book
STUDY 296
Text: Proverbs 25
25 February 2007
Dear Parents,
GOOD NEWS
How wonderful and refreshing it is to receive good news. The following text teaches us how to receive and respond to good news.
As cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a far country.Proverbs 25:25
What lessons may we learn from this text? We have a wonderful challenge to keep in good touch. In these days when so many travel, this word of advice ought to be given due consideration.
1. For parents who travel overseas
It is good to keep in touch with loved ones. It is good to be able to give “good news” so that the heart may be encouraged.
2. For children who go overseas to study or to work
It is important to keep in close touch too. An email, a short telephone call, a little postcard… these little things can bring such cheer and encouragement to the heart.
BEING RIGHTEOUS AND STRONG AS WELL
It is possible to be righteous and yet be lacking in strength. The following text brings a tremendous challenge to the righteous to be firm and strong when facing wickedness.
A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.Proverbs 25:26
1. To falter in the presence of wickedness is to reveal weakness
It is not easy to be both righteous and strong. How vital it is to be both!
2. To falter before the wicked has even graver implications
The righteous would become like “a murky spring” and “a polluted well”. This means that the water from these places would no longer be good and pure.
The righteous must therefore find sufficient strength somehow to stand up to the wicked. He must not allow his righteousness, compared to good spring water or clear well water to be affected adversely. If wickedness is allowed free rein, righteousness will be compromised drastically.
3. A challenge not to falter before the wicked
This is the challenge of the above text. There is no need to falter before the wicked! We can and must find the strength to withstand the onslaught of wickedness!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie