Bible.com.au: Reading Plan - Opening the Bible Together

Reflection:

As the father of three adult sons, I can really identify with the early chapters of Proverbs. Here we find some very practical words of advice to ‘keep within your heart.’ Here are some of the gems from today’s chapter of Proverbs:

‘Keep your mouth free of perversity and keep corrupt talk far from your lips’. We consider carefully what we say. Words can be used to build up or tear down.

‘Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.’ We keep our focus on God and follow him only. There are many unhealthy distractions in life that will not bring ‘healing to all your flesh’.

‘Give careful thought to the paths of your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.’ Being steadfast equals being resolute and committed. Whatever we do, we try to do it well.

‘Do not turn to the right or the left, keep your foot from evil.’ Healing and restoration come when we choose to keep our feet away from evil and, instead, follow Jesus. He is the one that tells us “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mt 11:28

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to walk in the path of righteousness with the help of your word and your Holy Spirit. Lord, I have made mistakes and I feel broken. Father, as I read your word, I pray that you will embed it in my heart and incline it to my ear so that I can be close to you again.

Proverbs 4:1-27

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;

pay attention and gain understanding.

2I give you sound learning,

so do not forsake my teaching.

3For I too was a son to my father,

still tender, and cherished by my mother.

4Then he taught me, and he said to me,

“Take hold of my words with all your heart;

keep my commands, and you will live.

5Get wisdom, get understanding;

do not forget my words or turn away from them.

6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;

love her, and she will watch over you.

7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

8Cherish her, and she will exalt you;

embrace her, and she will honor you.

9She will give you a garland to grace your head

and present you with a glorious crown.”

10Listen, my son, accept what I say,

and the years of your life will be many.

11I instruct you in the way of wisdom

and lead you along straight paths.

12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;

when you run, you will not stumble.

13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;

guard it well, for it is your life.

14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked

or walk in the way of evildoers.

15Avoid it, do not travel on it;

turn from it and go on your way.

16For they cannot rest until they do evil;

they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

17They eat the bread of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence.

18The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

they do not know what makes them stumble.

20My son, pay attention to what I say;

turn your ear to my words.

21Do not let them out of your sight,

keep them within your heart;

22for they are life to those who find them

and health to one’s whole body.

23Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.

24Keep your mouth free of perversity;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you.

26Give careful thought to the paths for your feet

and be steadfast in all your ways.

27Do not turn to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil.

Opening the Bible Together

Day 5 of 14

NIV

Proverbs 4:20-22

Days

Proverbs 4:1-27