“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.”
Two parents sat on a large sofa cradling a newborn baby, looking very happy 
This proverb from the book of Proverbs cuts right to the chase about how a child’s actions profoundly affect their parents. When it speaks of a “wise” son, it’s not just about academic cleverness or quick wit. It refers to someone who consistently makes good choices, acts with integrity, and shows sound judgment in life. This kind of child brings immense happiness and a deep sense of pride to their father. Their thoughtful and responsible decisions reflect well on their upbringing, leading to positive outcomes that fill their parents with contentment.
Conversely, a “foolish” son is someone who acts impulsively, makes poor decisions, or disregards good counsel. Their actions often lead to negative consequences, causing distress, worry, and significant sadness, particularly for their mother. This isn’t about a lack of love, but the heavy emotional burden of witnessing a child stray from a path of well-being and purpose. It’s a challenging experience for any parent to see their child struggle due to misguided choices.
This ancient saying holds remarkable relevance in our modern lives. It serves as a potent reminder that our choices and behaviours have a tangible impact on those who care for us most deeply – our parents. It prompts us to consider: are our actions bringing joy or grief to those who have invested so much in our lives? It encourages us to cultivate wisdom – to seek understanding, exercise good judgment, and act with integrity in all we do.
For parents, this proverb also subtly underscores the profound and enduring nature of their role. Once you become a parent, you never stop being one. We parents often carry a deep-seated concern about how our children will turn out, a worry that can last a lifetime. This verse highlights that we have a tremendous influence in shaping our children’s character during their formative years. The values we instil, the guidance we provide, and the environment we create all contribute significantly to the development of their wisdom and moral compass.
However, as children grow up, they inevitably take responsibility for their own actions. While parental influence is vast, the ultimate choices made by adult children are their own. The proverb acknowledges this journey from parental guidance to individual accountability. Ultimately, Proverbs 10:1 offers a timeless principle: living wisely leads to a flourishing life, not just for the individual, but for their wider family circle, fostering a legacy of joy rather than sorrow.
The ultimate wisdom we hope our children cultivate is the wisdom to follow Christ.
Whether you are a parent or a child, or somewhere in between, make wise choices today which you will be happy with for a lifetime.
Have you ever felt like giving up? I know I have. Recently, at work, I was having a tough time. It felt like I wasn’t making any progress in my career. Day-to-day tasks felt dull and unchallenging, and I was hungry for bigger and better things. The temptation to throw in the towel was strong. But, I pressed on, emphasised excellence in my work, and eventually, I got a breakthrough with a promotion.
Biblical perseverance isn’t just stubbornness, but a steadfast commitment rooted in faith and trust in God, even amidst trials. It’s crucial for spiritual growth, fulfilling God’s calling, and enduring hardship for Christ’s sake. Biblical men are called to be resilient, and this post will explore this vital trait, drawing inspiration from key figures, so we can apply these lessons to our walk with Christ.
Cartoon-style elderly man with a long white beard and bushy eyebrows, wearing a blue robe and sandals, standing outdoors in a mountainous landscape. He is smiling broadly and winking, while holding a massive barbell with large weights above his head in a triumphant pose. The sky is bright blue with fluffy clouds, and green trees and rocky mountains surround him, giving the scene a lively and energetic atmosphere.
The Apostle Paul: Pressing On Towards the Goal
Consider the life of the Apostle Paul. After his dramatic conversion, he embarked on immense missionary journeys, facing a vast array of suffering. Shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, and constant opposition marked his path. Yet, he never wavered.
Philippians 3:14 encapsulates his spirit: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” “Pressing on” speaks of effort, determination, and forward momentum despite obstacles. Paul’s “goal” was his spiritual life and calling, and his “prize” was the reward of faithfulness.
He faced countless trials, but his focus remained fixed. He understood that true biblical perseverance is about keeping one’s eyes on the ultimate prize – Christ – regardless of earthly circumstances. Paul’s life demonstrates this powerfully.
Caleb: Unwavering Faith and Steadfastness
Caleb, one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan, offers another compelling example. Unlike the other ten, who were fearful, Caleb remained confident in God’s promise.
Numbers 13 and 14 recount how the spies assessed the land and the people’s subsequent fear and rebellion. Caleb, however, trusted God, even when facing overwhelming odds and popular dissent.
His perseverance led to him inheriting the land promised to him (Joshua 14:6-15), even forty-five years later. At 85, he was still strong and zealous, a testament to a life lived with unwavering faith. Caleb’s story illustrates that perseverance is not just about enduring hardship, but also about holding fast to God’s promises and acting on faith, even when others falter.
Joseph: A Picture of Enduring Hope
Joseph’s life is a powerful picture of enduring hope. From being the favoured son to being betrayed by his brothers, his journey was filled with adversity.
He faced enslavement in Egypt, false accusations, and imprisonment. Even in prison, he waited patiently, hoping the cupbearer would remember him, trusting God’s plan even when circumstances seemed bleak.
Joseph maintained integrity in Potiphar’s house. He exercised patience and hope during prolonged suffering. Ultimately, his reconciliation with his brothers and his understanding of God’s sovereign hand (Genesis 50:20) reveal the depth of his perseverance. Joseph’s life shows that perseverance is about maintaining faith and hope through extended periods of injustice and suffering, knowing that God is working all things for good.
Application: Cultivating a Resilient Spirit
How can we cultivate this resilient spirit in our own lives?
Rooted in God’s Word: Daily scripture reading and meditation are foundational. The Bible provides divine wisdom, comfort, and reminders of God’s unchanging character and promises. When we immerse ourselves in His Word, we strengthen our faith and build a robust spiritual foundation that can withstand the storms of life. It’s where we find the strength to keep going when our own resources are depleted.
Prayer: Seeking God’s strength and guidance in challenging times is indispensable. Prayer is our direct line to the Almighty, allowing us to articulate our struggles, express our doubts, and lay our burdens before Him. It’s through prayer that we receive peace that surpasses understanding, divine intervention, and renewed spiritual energy to face another day. It reminds us that we are not alone in our battles.
Community: Leaning on brothers in Christ for support and encouragement is vital. We are not designed to walk this path in isolation. A strong Christian community offers accountability, practical help, and empathetic understanding. Beyond general fellowship, we can cultivate what some call a “foxhole” – a tight-knit group of men you can call on any time, day or night, to stand with you in a time of trial. This kind of deep, trusted brotherhood is essential. Be a part of a group of men like that; actively seek out and build such a group. More importantly, be the kind of man who will consistently be there for his brothers in their time of need. This level of committed support prevents the isolation that can erode our resolve to persevere.
Focus on the Long-Term: Shifting our perspective from immediate gratification to eternal rewards is crucial for endurance. The temporary discomforts and trials of this life become bearable when viewed against the backdrop of eternity. Remembering the ultimate prize – an eternal dwelling with Christ – provides profound motivation to press on, knowing that our present sufferings are incomparable to the glory that awaits us.
Embrace Discomfort: Viewing trials as opportunities for growth and spiritual refinement changes our entire outlook. Instead of seeing difficulties as setbacks, we can embrace them as tools in God’s hand to shape our character, deepen our faith, and increase our reliance on Him. Just as gold is refined by fire, our perseverance is forged in the crucible of adversity, making us stronger and more Christ-like.
Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Remembering that God has a plan even when we don’t understand it brings profound peace. When we trust that God is in control, even amidst chaos and uncertainty, we are freed from the burden of needing to orchestrate every outcome ourselves. This confidence in His overarching purpose allows us to surrender our anxieties and continue forward with assurance, knowing that He is working all things for our good and His glory.
Biblical perseverance equips men to face life’s battles with resilience, not giving up on their faith, families, or callings. The Christian man is a “keeps-on-keeping-on” man.
None of the men we have considered today had it easy. They endured long periods of trial, and while we all hope and long for a victorious ending, not all get that in this life. While we have no doubt that God will make everything right in the end, we also remember examples of men who remained faithful and yet were martyred or forgotten. This is hard to take sometimes, but for biblical men, our goal is not our own fame or fortune but the glory of God. He must increase, and we must decrease. 
Conclusion
Perseverance is vital for biblical men. The examples of Paul, Caleb, and Joseph demonstrate its power. Embrace perseverance as a core trait of your Christian walk, trusting that God will empower you to “press on” and “keep on keeping on” for His glory. Reflect on areas in your life where you need to cultivate greater perseverance.
Over the season of Lent, I have been fasting. It has not always gone according to plan, I hasten to add, but it has been an enriching experience in many ways. This Sunday, why not give it a try yourself? Be sure to do it sensibly and wisely if you have never done it before.…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2022/04/10/fasting-sunday-suggestion/
At long last, we move on to Acts 5. This chapter opens with a rather disturbing set of events, and I want to try to shed some light on what is happening here. This particular passage is a difficult one, and I admit to having struggled with it for many years. I will explain why,…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2020/06/16/a-protective-father/
The other day my wife was talking to me, and like a dutiful husband, I was nodding and saying “Uh-huh…” in all the right places. My mind however, was somewhere else! I had to hold my hands up and admit that although I was hearing the words, I wasn’t really listening.
Verse 20 of Proverbs 4 is a rather eloquent way of saying “Listen up!” Attending to someone’s words is not simply to hear them, but rather to engage with them. Likewise, turning one’s head in the right direction (so that the ear is pointed at the speaker) is not nearly enough to ensure the instruction hits home.
Solomon is again entreating us to listen, to take on board and to respond to the wisdom of his teaching.
In a similar way, verse 21 encourages us to keep Wisdom’s teachings before our eyes and thus planted in our hearts. This idea of God’s Word and wisdom not departing from our eyes is an exhortation to be both regular and consistently reading and studying the Scripture.
A 30-minute sermon on a Sunday is not enough. A 5-minute devotional each morning may be encouraging, but it may be insufficient to receive the full counsel of God’s Word.
For me at least, little and often may be the key. I have followed “Bible in a year” plans before, and while useful in some cases, it can become a burden or even chore as we wade through six or more chapters each morning.
Better to read and meditate on a few Bible verses regularly, than read a dozen pages without taking it in.
Better to read and #meditate on a few #Bible verses regularly, than read a dozen pages without taking it in.
That is not to take Scripture out of context, I hasten to add. There is just as much danger in reading your favourite few verses all the time, and not engaging with the wider text or understand its place in the big picture.
Verse 22 says:
For they are life to those who find them,
and health to their whole body.
Proverbs 4:22 (WEB)
Verse 22 has always been a verse which fascinates me. It says that God’s word, or the instruction of wisdom, provides life to those who find them and even health to our physical bodies. We touched on this in previous posts on the book of Proverbs, and clearly living wisely will lengthen your life. Smoking, drinking or eating to excess, or not looking after oneself is not wise, and as a consequence will of course reduce one’s lifespan.
The word translated as “health” here is the Hebrew word marpe’ and is most often translated as “health” (as above) or “healing.” It can also be rendered as “cure” or “remedy” also.
Could it be that the very studying of God’s Word can bring health to us, and I mean in some supernatural way rather than as a natural consequence of living right? While some would give a definite yes to that question, others would dispute it. I would encourage you to study its meaning for yourself.
The WEB translation of verse 23 is a little confusing, to me at least! Here it is from the NLT:
Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Despite talking of the health of the body in the last verse, this one is not referring to our blood pump, but rather our inner self. Guarding our heart is very much in line with what this passage has been talking about. Too few of us take seriously what we allow into our hearts and minds. Instead of keeping the Word of God before us constantly, we fill ourselves with ungodly entertainment or gossip. We are foolish if we think our hearts can go unscathed by such continual battering.
Your heart, that is, your inner self, will determine how your life goes. It is like a child who is constantly criticised or put down, they will struggle in life to overcome such negativity. Our hearts, in a similar way, cannot be soaked in negativity and produce positive results.
Verse 24 deals not with what we put into ourselves, but rather what comes out of us. It strongly advises us to be careful about how we speak, and I cannot emphasise enough the power of our words.
Paul also instructs us to:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
What a challenging verse this is! I say a lot of things in a day, but can hardly confess to all of it being helpful for building others up. I try to add value with my words, always having in the back of my mind that one day I will give account for them to the Lord. Yet too frequently I find my words are not wholesome, but instead are negative, critical or just wasteful. How about you?
Verse 25 to 27 all echo the same sentiment. Keep your eyes fixed ahead, and your feet on level ground. This is clearly not to advise us against turning our heads nor to ascend inclined ground in our hometowns! Instead, the Proverbs are warning us to keep fixed on what is right, and not to turn aside to evil.
If we do not do this, if we just wander along aimlessly, then we will find ourselves in trouble. Our focus and our determined purpose must be to seek after what is right and good. Our sinful nature has been programmed into us since birth, and despite the new life Christ brings, we do tend towards selfishness and evil unless we are set against it.
What are your eyes fixed on? Are locked ahead, gazing upon God’s Word, or do they wander and lead you astray? How about those feet? Are they shod with the Gospel, and following after Jesus, or do they stumble or meander away?
Make a decision right here and now that you will seek after wisdom all day long. Fix those eyes and discipline those feet, and you will life in God’s Word.
The more you have, the more you have to take care of.
This Pearl of Wisdom challenges us to really think about what it is we want.
We might say we want a bigger house, but do we also want to clean all that extra space? Do we want to pay the higher electricity or gas bills that go along with it? Do we really want the large mortgage or rental payments too?
We might say we want that promotion at work, but do we also want the longer commute that goes with it? We want the pay increase, but do we want to deal with the responsibility and associated stress?
The more we have and want, the more we have to take care of, pay for and devote time to.
I am not suggesting you become a minimalist, unless that is what you want, but I am asking you to carefully consider what new things you buy or what additional responsibilities you take on.
The Bible warns us to count the cost before we begin, and that is good advice! Putting it another way, try not to get caught up in the excitement of a new purchase or liftsyle choice without first thinking about all of its implications.
The good thing about this advice is that it can also be applied retrospectively. It is not just about what you take on in future. If you have failed to count the cost in the past, biting off more than you can chew, you can make changes now. Admittedly that’s harder if you’ve bought a house, as selling up and downsizing is no small decision. If you have bought items of furniture or a car even that is just too much to handle right now, you can sell them on or even give them away. You might lose some money in the deal, but you may gain peace. Peace is worth more than gold.
Before we commit to anything new, let each of us consider whether we really do want it. What we have needs looking after, and if our time is already stretched, adding to that to-do list will not help.
Are you on the verge of a decision – big or small – and need to consider this? Does your diary, bank statement or cluttered home scream that you have more on your plate than you can handle? Only you can make the change.
Are you ever guilty of running ahead of God? I know I am!
There have been times when someone has asked me to do something, or I have made a commitment in some way, but did not first check it with the Lord. I went ahead and made my plan, and only later thought to ask God if it was what He wanted for me.
Rather than seeking the Lord for His guidance in what we are to do, we make our own plans and then ask Him to bless them as if they were His own.
The truth is though, God does not have to bless your plan. He does not have to finish anything He did not start. We have no business going somewhere or doing something, and then just expecting God to make it right.
#God does not have to bless your #plan. He does not have to finish anything He did not start #Wisdom #Bible #Christianity
Instead, we need to make our plans in prayer, putting them before God and ensuring He is in the plans we make.
Paul was instructed to preach the Gospel, and he made plans to do so. In Acts 16, the Spirit of the Lord prevented him from entering Macedonia, and so he diverted his course. Imagine what would have happened had he just ignored the prompting of the Spirit and went anyway. Only God knows what would have happened to him!
If we go against God’s plan for us, then we will end up in trouble. If we do that, there is no sense in getting angry at God for not rescuing you. There are times when I tell my children not to do something. It may be to not touch the hot stove, or not to climb on something they shouldn’t. If they choose to ignore me, they could end up burning themselves or falling.
Don’t simply do whatever you want and expect or demand God makes it work. Rather, seek Him in all you do, and He will make your paths straight.
Just a reminder that from tomorrow we will start to look at the book of Proverbs. I look forward to studying it with you!
This coming Monday, I will be starting a new series on the book of Proverbs. it is an amazing book, with much to wrestle with. Throughout next week I will be sharing my thoughts on the first chapter, and felt I should give you a bit of a heads up in advance! If you have…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2022/01/06/preparing-for-proverbs/
WordPress helpfully keeps a total of the words you have written on your blog each year. Although we are only about a week into 2022, I am reliably informed that I have written nearly 4500 words so far.
This is good for me to know, because I really do want to make good progress on some unfinished books I am writing this year.
One project has around 10,000 words written, and another approximately 17,000 words completed.
Knowing that I’ve already written 4500 words on the blog this year, helps me to believe that it may even be possible to complete both projects in the coming 12 months!
why am I telling you this? Simply for accountability!
I want to try to post regular updates on how the books are progressing, as a way of keeping myself honest! Do pull me up dear reader, if I do not do this!
I also ask for your prayers, and that my writing would be fruitful. Please ask the Lord to help me complete these projects this year, but more importantly that they will be a vehicle for him to bless those who read them.
Word count is not the best way to measure the quality of a book… But in this stage of the project, it sure does help me keep track!
I don’t want you to just take my word for it… We take a little break from our current series on Psalm 103 to discuss something important. It is an immense privilege to share God’s Word with you through this blog, and I take that responsibility very seriously. But you, the reader, have a responsibility…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2018/04/12/the-berean-approach/
Andy Brown 