Posted on 12/10/2019 6:22:50 AM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding" (Proverbs 10:12-13).
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins,” Most divorces are caused by unresolved strife in the home. It's hard for the Devil to split up a home where the love is strong. Where love overlooks the deficiencies of another.
You know, that is exactly what Jesus did. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8 KJV). He loved the unlovely. And what did that do in us? “We love him, because he first loved us” (I John 4:19 KJV).
If we want our spouse to love us more, love them more. And love them even more when they are unlovely. And show it. Women, unlike men, believe that love is much more than the words, “I love you,” they need time and attention.
Buy her something she doesn’t need. Men are so stinking pragmatic. A woman with a closet full of dresses can always find room for one more. That’s how you build love, even though there is imperfections, and faults. “love covereth all sins.”
“In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found,” an obvious truth. If a man understands what is right and what is wrong, and the important things of life; you will find wisdom in what he says.
“. . . but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding,” this is chastening, especially for a child: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15 KJV).
The rod is the only way that you can give somebody wisdom that lacks understanding, it is the only way you can get him to do right. They will not receive instruction through talking, so you have to get rough with them. That is the main issue with little children. You can’t take a two-year-old, or a three-year-old and say, “Now, look, the stove will burn you if you touch it, and you understand of course the difference between 1st degree, 2nd degree, and 3rd degree burns do you not? With 1st degree burns redness appears, and with 2nd degree boils will be apparent—that kid doesn’t understand that—whump! Don’t touch that! He understands. Or he will understand even better right after he touches it. Far better to warn him forcefully then to rush him to the E.R. with 3rd degree burns.
Until the kid is old enough to have understanding, help him out. Keep him out of trouble. Some stupid parents expect their kids to have the responsibilities or abilities that he doesn’t have. He doesn’t have understanding. If he did, he would be an adult. And you wouldn’t have to be feeding him, he’d be out earning a living for himself. So, don’t expect him to know right from wrong, or up from down—at this point he will only understand the rod of correction. And he’ll appreciate it.
Let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread!
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