This post is Day 6 in a series of studies about “Hope”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Hope – Day 6

One of the challenges for parents trying to discipline their children is just how to do that in this crazy world. Sadly many do not have memories of a good childhood themselves. Where do these parents go to for advice? Where does wisdom that helps in these matters come from?

Proverbs 19:18

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

The Thought

This proverb seems to be saying that undisciplined children are without a hope and a future. In many ways that is true. Obedience to a higher authority, whether it is parents, teachers, the boss in the office, or government officials and world authorities is something we all have to learn. Learning this when we are young, makes life much easier.

If a soldier does not learn discipline and obedience early on in his training, he will not be successful, and his lack of obedience could cost him his life.

If children in school don’t obey their teachers, they quickly develop a bad reputation which can affect their whole lives.

One of the challenges today for young parents trying to discipline their children is just how to do that in the crazy world we live in. Sadly many do not have memories of a good childhood themselves. Where do these parents go to for advice? Where does wisdom that helps in these matters come from?

Many who have had a good Christian upbringing themselves succeed by just following the pattern laid down by faithful parents. But sadly too many in our world do not have that to build on.

Action

Proverbs 8 is a personification of wisdom and I believe it is Jesus speaking. Read it today and pray for yourself and the people living around you to have wisdom in bringing up their children giving them a hope and a future.

Pray for schools in your area to have Christian principles, teaching the children in their care to be wise adults.

Pray for the next generation in your own wider family, for each one to develop their own relationship with Jesus, our only hope.

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