“My son, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother.” – Proverbs 1:8 

Scripture reading: Proverbs 1:8-19

It appears from Proverbs 1:8 that the writer supposes the parents in view to be godly and that the law of God is the law of the home. Indeed Scripture obligates parents to teach their children the law of God (Deuteronomy 6:7).

I was blessed with godly parents and God’s law was taught in our home. My mother had all the ten commandments in shortened form printed on cardboard and posted on the kitchen wall opposite me when I sat down to eat. They were there to be remembered three times a day. I was taught to follow them.

Scripture calls the commandments “the statutes of life” and the wisdom they impart will lead into the richest and fullest life if we only follow them. The problem is that we are all sinners and we all fall short in keeping them. We are guilty before God.

Happily, the law has a second purpose. It serves as “a tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). Christ totally kept the commandments, but willingly took our guilt upon Himself and died in our place. Now by faith we can be forgiven our guilt and covered by the righteousness of Jesus. This makes us right with God. Now the law serves to show us how to live in gratitude to God for making us right with Him. This is wisdom.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask God to convict sinners and show the way to righteousness in Christ.

Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.