Proverbs Devotion - Day 4

As a parent, our greatest desire is to see our child set off for a God-honoring and productive life. Our desire is that they would do even better than we do. So, we want to teach them what is important, what doesn’t matter so much, and certainly what to watch out for and avoid. That is the heart we find in Chapter 4, which is Solomon teaching his son about a life that seeks and lives by wisdom. 

The encouragement of this chapter: get wisdom! Which seems kind of nonsensical. The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom? But I think what Solomon is getting at is that the beginning of wisdom is admitting you need it and you’re focused on pursuing it. True wisdom is not just letting the current of life and the culture take you where you want to go. But rather, be like Daniel, and purpose in your heart to honor Christ and pursue Him, no matter what. So, to paraphrase Solomon: the beginning of wisdom is to purpose in your heart “I admit I need Jesus and will do whatever he says.” Because, as we’re already seeing, wisdom is not about facts or intelligence, it’s about knowing Christ and walking in fellowship with him. 

But not only to do we need to purpose in our heart but also protect our heart. Verse 23 is a familiar verse: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” The heart is the command center of your life. The way we think, talk, act flows from there. That is what Solomon warns us in the following verses. To truly live a God-honoring life, we need to look at our words, our gaze, and our feet. Are we speaking in God-honoring ways (Ephesians 4:25-32)? Are we keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, so we’re not led astray by temptations of sin (Hebrews 12:1-2)? Are we walking in the footsteps of Jesus sent to go make him known (John 20:21; Acts 1:8)? We must guard our heart because it reveals what or who we are truly following. 

Lastly, this entire chapter demonstrates discipleship at work. What Solomon learned from his father he is now sharing with his sons (and us). This is important for any parent to teach the next generation about God, His Word and promises, and how to follow Him. Do they see you following Jesus? Guarding your heart? Growing in your fellowship with God? They need to see that but they also need to learn from you firsthand. D.A. Carson said: “We’re actually only ever three generations away from losing the gospel. Generation one believes the gospel. The second generation assumes the gospel. The third generation rejects the gospel.” It is important that believers not only pursue Jesus but also teach the next generation what it means and tangibly looks like. Don’t assume they’ll just know. Tell them: purpose to follow Jesus and protect your heart, at all costs!