Not long ago, I left my brother's house late in the evening and drove home. When I arrived, I went to pull my house keys out of my bag, but I could not find them. For reasons that would take too long to explain, they were not attached to my car keys, which is why I was able to drive home without realizing my house keys were missing. I searched my bag, inside and out, but knew the truth: my house keys were not with me. They must have been at my brother's. Upon this realization, I headed back to my brother's house to sleep and planned to look for them in the morning.
I was so embarrassed and frustrated with myself. How could I lose my keys? I found out the following day that my nephew had actually hidden my keys, and it was not my fault at all. After we had a good laugh, my brother explained to my nephew that he could not take people's things and hide them, especially keys (or wallets, but that is another story). The truth is, no good can come from hiding things. Hiding holds people back from growing and getting where they hope to be. This is especially true when talking about Scripture. When we read and study Scripture, we are to read all of Scripture and not hold back from the truth found in it, even when the Scripture we are reading is hard to hear.
Proverbs 13 reminds us of the importance of paying attention to instruction when it is given. Verse 13 tells us that "people who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed." The NET translation says it this way, "The one who despises instruction will pay the penalty,
but whoever esteems instruction will be rewarded." In other words, when we ignore wise instruction or teaching, especially wise instruction from Scripture, we will face the consequences. When we listen to instruction and teaching, even when it is difficult, we will reap the rewards.
The Bible, even the parts that are difficult for us to hear, is meant to help us. It is meant to help us grow into the people God wants for us to be. It is meant to help us grow in our faith and become more like Christ. When we choose not to read and learn from difficult Scripture, we will miss out on how God wants to shape us and mold us in His image. May you and I be dedicated to studying and learning from all of Scripture. After all, every part of Scripture is the inspired Word of God.
Do you have people who consistently speak truth from God's Word in your life, even when it is hard? Identify those people now. If not, who is someone you know who might be willing to be that person in your life? Take time right now to thank these truth-tellers for their presence in your life. Thank God for them as well.
A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;[a]
a mocker refuses to listen to correction.
Wise words will win you a good meal,
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Lazy people want much but get little,
but those who work hard will prosper.
The godly hate lies;
the wicked cause shame and disgrace.
Godliness guards the path of the blameless,
but the evil are misled by sin.
Some who are poor pretend to be rich;
others who are rich pretend to be poor.
The rich can pay a ransom for their lives,
but the poor won’t even get threatened.
The life of the godly is full of light and joy,
but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Pride leads to conflict;
those who take advice are wise.
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
wealth from hard work grows over time.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
People who despise advice are asking for trouble;
those who respect a command will succeed.
The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;
those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
A person with good sense is respected;
a treacherous person is headed for destruction.[b]
Wise people think before they act;
fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.
An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,
but a reliable messenger brings healing.
If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;
if you accept correction, you will be honored.
It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.
Walk with the wise and become wise;
associate with fools and get in trouble.
Trouble chases sinners,
while blessings reward the righteous.
Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
A poor person’s farm may produce much food,
but injustice sweeps it all away.
Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
The godly eat to their hearts’ content,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
