Thought for the Day

Verse 29 - All societies need the strength of younger men and the experience of older men to thrive. Cultures that reject this truth, waste priceless resources locked within older citizens. Some people in America are waking up to this and tapping into a wealth of knowledge to everyone's benefit. The knowledge, insight, and experience of older men can expand, release, improve, and turn into workable possibilities the ideas of younger men. Younger men can implement and bring into working reality the ideas of older men, often physically constrained. This proverb points out the complementary strengths of the generations. The old and the young need each other.

Many societies are suffering the consequences of young men being raised without a father figure. These young men are dysfunctional and others are aimless. Proverbs 22:28 says, "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." This means that children should not tear down the parameters that their fathers have set. Fathers know from experience many things that are harmful, as well as what will and will not work. This can also apply to mothers as well. Titus 2:1-5: "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

The church is to be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:19-20). Many people are being deceived and embracing false doctrines because they have failed to build on the doctrine of Christ which He established through His apostles and prophets of old, as recorded in the Bible, and taught through today's ministers. "...Build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith..." [Jude 1:20 (AMP)]. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…" (Hebrews 13:17). "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. ---- and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).

Verse 30 - Correction, in the form of blows aimed at rebellious actions has a cleansing effect on the soul. Some strong-willed children need a spanking to get the message across. In no way do I advocate beating a child. This is not scriptural. To give a good swat on the buttocks, however, is not beating a child. Such discipline has helped many a child to listen to his parents, saving him from danger. "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes" (Proverbs 13:24).