October 4 Read Proverbs 4:20-27

Young people and children, today’s section also deals with wisdom and evil. But I want to focus on the first six words of verse 20. Do you heed the words of your fathers, both physical and spiritual? Do your dad’s words echo in your minds as you leave the house? Do you ponder the minister’s words after catechism? Are the teachers’ exhortations considered for more than just a grade? You must do this because these figures of authority have been place over you by God himself. They are not just arbitrary figures in your lives. They are there for a purpose, and that purpose is to teach you the wonderful Word and works of Jehovah. Pay attention to them, listen to them, and then most importantly do what they say. The reason is found in verse 22. Read it! Sing Psalter 343.

October 5 Read Proverbs 5:1-6

Parents, do you let your children and young people hear wisdom from the lips of a strange woman? Solomon was concerned about who taught the covenant seed in his day. He knew that instruction from Satan would bring disastrous results to covenant children and young people. In this chapter we see many examples of such instruction. How about us? Do we turn our children over to the strange woman of television? Even the “innocent” children’s television programs have much evil in them. This is to say nothing of the drama which fills much of the other programming. The videos which are so easy to obtain often have the strange woman portrayed on the cover. The internet allows the strange woman easy access to our young people’s lives. Parents, we must guard our children and young people especially in these areas. Let us not dishonor God in the instruction of the covenant seed. Sing Psalter 146:1-6.

October 6 Read Proverbs 5:7-13

Look at verse nine again. Our honor is something we cherish greatly. We are quick to take offense when someone impugns our honor. In the Middle Ages taking someone’s honor usually meant a duel that might end someone’s life. Are we jealous for our spiritual honors? Are we ready to defend the honor that has been imputed to us by God? This takes work on our part. It is something that must be defended every day and every hour of that day. We cannot take a “time out” from this task. Walking in evil ways only causes us to lose our honor. By losing our honor we will come to the day when we will regret what we have done. Eventually that day will be the judgment day. People of God, keep from evil because it will only bring horrible results in to our lives. Sing Psalter 278.

October 7 Read Proverbs 5:14-23

These verses give powerful instruction concerning marriage and the seventh commandment. The idea of verse fifteen is that we not leave our wives and seek other women for our own pleasure and enjoyment. We must know that our wives are given to us by God. They are not material possessions to be discarded at any whim. The reason for such admonition is two-fold. First of all we must honor the institution of marriage because it is God’s institution. Secondly we see that this sin is not just against our mates but also against God who seeth all things. Like other sins this one has horrible consequences for the sinner and those around him. Young people, as you ponder marriage think about these things even in your dating practices. Dating must have as its goal to find the mate God has prepared for you. If we sin when we date, we probably sin in marriage. Marriage is a beautiful picture of Christ and his church; let us honor that picture. Sing Psalter 360.

October 8 Read Proverbs 6:1-5

In these verses Solomon warns us about the use of our tongues. We must not give promises lightly. If we do this to strangers, we become obligated to them and maybe to an evil way of life. If we do this to friends, we may alienate our friend and cause us personal troubles. Friendship is a wonderful thing. We have a pattern for friendship from Christ. Read the book of John to understand this pattern. Christian friends are a blessing to us. We need to cultivate those friendships. Be careful about with whom you become friends. This, too, is part of wisdom. Sing Psalters 68.

October 9 Read Proverbs 6:6-11

Monday morning rolls around again. Did you pray for help against laziness this morning as you began your school or work week? Laziness is a sin which seeking after God’s wisdom will help prevent. Students, you need to make this part of your prayers as you work in school today and this week. Laziness can happen when you do not pay attention as the teacher is talking. You may be lazy as you do the work that you were assigned. Guard against that sin and work to avoid it. Parents, become examples for your children in this matter. Don’t let your words around the house show that you may be lazy in the workplace. Don’t be lazy there either. Fleeing laziness is a sign that we seek the wisdom which comes from above. Sing Psalter 97.

October 10 Read Proverbs 6:12-19

We might say after reading these verses that they do not apply to us. We might say that we are not naughty persons and would not do any thing that the Lord hates. We might say such things but we would be fooling ourselves and making our sins ten times worse. Paul in Romans writes that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Take a look at the seven abominations again. We must examine our lives and see that we must flee from these evils. We must see how we do these things and work to not do them. This can only be accomplished by the grace of God wrought for us by Christ. Let us pray daily for sin’s forgiveness, to not be led into temptation, and for deliverance from temptation. Sing Psalter 253:1-5.

October 11 Read Proverbs 6:20-29

There are two main thoughts found in this section. First of all Solomon admonishes his son and us to keep the commandments of our fathers. This is not because our fathers were so great, but rather that our fathers were God-fearing and told us God’s commandments. He tells us to obey these commandments at all times. This is a repeat of the instruction found in Deuteronomy 6. There the emphasis is upon parents’ responsibility. Here the emphasis is on the responsibility of children and teenagers to keep those commandments. The second part of the section teaches us that in walking in these commandments we will stay away from sin. It makes a special point that sin is as dangerous as a hot coal. Handle it and you will be burned! Walk in sin and you will suffer the consequences. Let us heed the admonitions found in this part of God’s Word. Sing Psalter 321.

October 12 Read Proverbs 6:30-35

We see a contrast between sins. Solomon does not excuse the sin against the eighth commandment, for he says that that person must repay. But he shows that thievery, because it is basically outward, does not wound another like adultery. When adultery is committed, there are many who are wronged. There is the woman who is taken in adultery. There is her husband who has been defrauded. And, Solomon states, there is the soul of the adulterer which cannot be soothed with many gifts. Husbands and wives, you must keep yourselves pure from this sin. Young people, in your dating practices, you must be chaste and honorable. If you are not, you will bring suffering on others as well as great grief to your own soul. Walk as the bride of Christ and seek no other. Sing Psalter 83.

October 13 Read Proverbs 7:1-5

Again we find admonitions of Solomon about the keeping of God’s law. Notice how close we must keep them. There are five figures of speech found here: “As the apple of thine eye,” “bind them upon thy fingers,” “write them upon the table of thine heart,” “thou art my sister,” and “call understanding thy kinswoman.” I see two ideas to which we must pay attention. First of all that law must be as close to us as possible. Secondly we must love that law as we love those women whom God has placed in our families. We are to cherish that law and take great pains toward it. Why must we do that? We must do it because that law will protect us and help us to flee from sin. Sing Psalter 42.

October 14 Read Proverbs 7:6-23

This long section shows to us in very graphic language the insidiousness of sin. Sin will seek the child of God out in any way possible in order to cause him to sin more. Sin is sweet and promises many good things. These good things turn out to be the snare which entraps us daily. Satan is as a “roaring lion,” but sometimes that lion is dressed in the clothes of the candy man. Flee sin and live. Sing Psalter 157:1-3; 7-9.

October 15 Read Proverbs 7:24-27

After describing the way that sin leads the young people of God, Solomon once more tells them to listen to him. He tells them that sin has taken even those who appeared to be strong. There is no escaping the evil that sin brings to those who walk in her ways. He finally warns the young people that the way of sin is the way to hell and to the stronghold of Satan. Are you listening, young people? Are you heeding the wise advice of Solomon and your parents, ministers, elders, and teachers? Were you listening, sleeping or being absent from the pew today? Christ speaks to us through the preaching. Were you listening? Listen and do not fall into the way of sin for it has a terrible end. Sing Psalter 217.

October 16 Read Proverbs 8:1-11

There are some who say that this is the chapter which defines all of Proverbs. In it we see wisdom personified, and we find that Christ is wisdom. Let us look at verse nine for a few minutes. Read it again. First of all we see that to understand wisdom and Christ does not take someone of super intelligence. Wisdom’s words are plain to the people of God. There is nothing that may confuse them in the Word of God. Secondly we find that those words are right. They are never wrong. The truth found in that wisdom is plain, straight-forward and never changing. Seek that wisdom, people of God, and you will be seeking something that is better than all the riches of this earth. Sing Psalter 40:1-4.

October 17 Read Proverbs 8:12-21

There are many pearls of truth found in this section. Take a minute and find one that you can wear today. I like verse 17. First of all we see that wisdom is not just some cold dead fact. Wisdom is alive and vibrant. But then, wisdom is Christ. And Christ loves his people with a covenantal love. What a thing for us to treasure! Secondly we must seek wisdom early. There is no having fun when we are young and then finding wisdom. Oh, this may happen, but it is not desirable. We should not condone the sowing of wild oats by our young people. We should encourage them to sow wisdom’s seed. Love wisdom and seek wisdom, people of God, and we will be blessed. Sing Psalter 377:1-3.

October 18 Read Proverbs 8:22-31

In these verses we further see that wisdom and Christ are synonymous. We also find proof for creation. Not to believe in creation is not to believe in Christ. You also cannot believe in some creation and some evolutions as the theistic evolutionist does. To believe a little in creation is to try to believe a little in Christ and that cannot be! Each of these verses shows that God’s work of creation which was done by the Word was thorough and all-encompassing. Creation is a beautiful truth and cannot be ignored. It is either creation and salvation or neither. Sing Psalter 377:4-7.

October 19 Read Proverbs 8:32-36

The final verses of this chapter serve as a conclusion to all that is taught in the chapter. First of all, notice that even our children are commanded to walk in wisdom’s ways. This means that we as parents must instruct them in those ways and see to it that they walk in them. We cannot condone their sins by our compliance or ignorance. Secondly, children and young people, you must not refuse the instruction of your parents, teacher, elders, or ministers. These men and women have been placed in authority over you by God. You must listen to them or you refuse to listen to Christ. Thirdly, seeking wisdom is a full time occupation. We must always be seeking wisdom. Finally, to seek wisdom is to seek eternal life with Christ in heaven, and not to seek wisdom is to seek death in hell, far removed from him. Let us seek wisdom whatever age we are and in whatever station or calling we are. Sing Psalter 322.

October 20 Read Proverbs 9:1-12

The first part of this chapter speaks of the house of wisdom. This is no more than the church of Christ. Notice the number seven in the first verse. Seven is the number of the covenant that God has within himself and also with his people. Do you live in wisdom’s house, people of God? If you do, than you must heed the instruction of that last part of this section. This instruction tells us not to have anything to do with the reprobate. Oh, it does not encourage world flight but rather it encourages us not to mingle with the wicked more than is necessary. Verse ten once again states the theme of the book. We must be seeking the fear of Jehovah and the only way we can do that is to live in his house with his people, our brothers and sisters. Are you doing that tonight, young people? You will not find dancing, movies, or drunken parties in wisdom’s house. You will find fellowship with brothers and sisters of like faith. Seek wisdom and seek her house tonight. Sing Psalter 36.

October 21 Read Proverbs 9:13-18

Did you escape the foolish, clamorous, simple woman last night, young people? Did you escape her wiles and traps? They were all around you because they are the traps of Satan. Notice that she sits where she can be seen. She is on her front porch and at the social meeting places in town or in the country. You might be going where you should be but she will find you there as well. What about tonight, young people? How will you prepare for the Sabbath and worship? If you fall into the simple woman’s clutches, you will not be prepared for either. She will not find you if you are with your family in your home. She will not find you if you are with a group of covenant young people who have determined to be home early. Prepare for the Sabbath and stay out of Satan’s hands. Sing Psalter 61.

October 22 Read Proverbs 10:1-9

Did you notice the pattern found in these nine verses? If not, read the section again. Notice that each verse is made up of two parts connected with the word but. This is a Hebrew poetical device called antithetical parallelism. The first part of the verse tells us what we should and must do, while the second tells us what we should and must not do. While these verses may appear disjointed there are several things which tie them together. The first is the grammatical construction. The second is that the first part of the verse is only done through wisdom. Where can you get this wisdom, people of God? You get it from him, and today you get it by being found in his house. The worship of Jehovah is a wise thing and something that will be blessed. Seek wisdom and you will seek the path of life. Sing Psalter 387.

October 23 Read Proverbs 10:10-17

We go back to school or work today; this being Monday. Let us take notice of verse 12. In school we have strife. This is displeasing to God and a grief to our parents and teachers, but it happens because of the old man of sin that lies within each of us. What do we do about strife? There are two possibilities. If we hate the person with whom we have a difference, we will constantly stir up that strife. But if we love that person, we will cover that strife with the love of God. This is not easy and can only be accomplished by the grace of God. Notice that to cover sin does not mean to hide it but to forgive it as Christ covered our sins with his blood at the cross. Seek forgiveness and seek to forgive, people of God, and strife will be lessened in our lives. Sing Psalter 24.

October 24 Read Proverbs 10:18-24

There are two thoughts that could be considered in today’s portion of Scripture. We could consider the sins of the tongue. Or we could consider verse 23. We will have occasion to do the former later on in our study. Let us look at verse 23. We have seen how wisdom and the wise are the main themes of this book. Their opposites are the “antitheme.” If we are not wise, we are fools. How many times do you do something, young people or children, which is wrong; and when you are rebuked for it, your reply was, “It was fun.” That is the answer of the foolish. The measuring stick which God will use is not our fun but his glory and wisdom. Learn to use that stick and you will avoid the stick of his wrath. Seek to do good and know wisdom and you will find happiness now and in eternity. Sing Psalter 91.

October 25 Read Proverbs 10:25-32

Notice verse 28. There are some who look at and use the book of Proverbs as a fountain of nice sayings which can guide a person in life. If this is all that we see in this book, we are sadly mistaken and have missed the point. The book of Proverbs is a guide upon the way to eternal gladness. We are on a journey, people of God of all ages, and on this journey God has given to us a guide. Let us follow that guide through our lives or we will have no hope of happiness at all. To use Proverbs as one might use the tales of Aesop is to completely miss the point. To do that is not wise but very foolish. Sing Psalter 28.

October 26 Read Proverbs 11:1-6

The first verse of this section is often used to condemn evil business practices. That is a proper use of the text, I believe, but not the whole use. God has placed each one of us in some labor. It may be that we work at some business, either for ourselves or for someone else. It may be that God has placed us in the home caring for the covenant seed. This is a high calling and one our young women should desire. It may be we are placed in the school room responsible to learn about God’s creation and his works. In each of these callings we must not use a false balance. We may not cheat in any calling, but must give an honest account of ourselves and the abilities that God has given to us. To do otherwise is foolish and an abomination to God. Let us consider our calling and see how we can delight him in it. Sing Psalter 95.

October 27 Read Proverbs 11:7-11

A general theme found in this section of Proverbs is the walk of sanctification of the righteous. God calls us to walk in a way pleasing to him. This is done by obeying his commandments as found in his Word. Is this our desire, people of God? Are you planning to do this tonight, young people, as you seek entertainment with your friends? You notice that a benefit of such right living is the well-being of the place where God has placed us. God gives to us a place of peace as we walk in his ways. Otherwise he will add to us woe because of our refusal to seek him and to walk in his ways. Live a life of sanctification, people of God, and serve him in all that you do. Sing Psalter 136.

October 28 Read Proverbs 11:12-16

What did you hear last night? This is a common question asked by people of all ages. Sometimes the news is good and bears repeating. Sometimes it is an account of sin and someone’s downfalls and failures. Verse thirteen can serve as a guide in such matters. First of all, we should never speak the lie. That is out and out condemned in the ninth commandment as well as other places of Scripture. Secondly, when we know of someone’s sin, we should not spread it around to other people. Paul’s words to “speak the truth in love” serve as an excellent guide in these kinds of situations. If there is any talking to be done in this situation, let it be done in accordance with Matthew 18. Let us not be talebearers but rather those who seek to build up the saints around us. Sing Psalter 25.

October 29 Read Proverbs 11:17-21

Young people, to whom have you shown mercy lately? “Mercy?” you might ask. “What is that?” Mercy is one of God’s attributes which we must imitate each day of our lives. When we see someone in trouble and we can help them out, we must not miss that opportunity to reflect this attribute of God. Mercy is shown when we comfort those who have been hurt by grievous words. Mercy is shown when we make sure someone is not omitted in our activities. Today, we saw the deacons taking the offering. They are sometimes called the ministers of mercy as they help those whom God has ordained as poor. They do this in their official office. But because we are members of the church of all believers we have the office of believers. One way we carry out that office is to show mercy to those around us. Sing Psalter 69.

October 30 Read Proverbs 11:22-26

Young women, what do you expect to gain with your earthly apparel and outward adornments? Young men, do you seek after the young women who has the best outward apparel and adornments? If the young woman seeks to gain favor with young men or to glorify herself with her outward appearance, she might, but she might also bring herself into ruin. If the young man seeks the young women who looks the best, he might receive her to his own despair. Verse twenty-two has a striking parallelism. This type is called synonymous parallelism. Get a word picture in your mind, young people, and then consider what you want for yourself or for your mate. Just a note of warning, young men. In this day and age the fair woman in the verse could be changed to a handsome man. Young men must watch their desire of appearance as well. Young men and women, cultivate discretion in your lives and then you will be beautiful and handsome in God’s eyes. Sing Psalter 113:1-4.

October 31 Read Proverbs 11:27-31

Sometimes we may look at verse 30 with great puzzlement. This talk about soul-winning is foreign in our thoughts. But taken in the right context this verse can give to us much instruction. In these first eleven chapters of Proverbs, we see constant instruction to seek wisdom and to walk in wisdom’s ways. If we do this. those around us will notice us. God will use our godly walk to bring others to him. This is the testimony of Scripture and also of the Heidelberg Catechism in Lord’s Day 32. Our walk of sanctification is a necessary walk both in how we appear toward God and toward others. Today is a good day to look at this truth. What will you celebrate tonight—God’s Reformation Day or Satan’s Halloween? Parents, you must direct your children and young people in this matter. Help them to walk a walk of sanctification which is antithetical. Scripture says by “their fruit ye shall know them.” What is your fruit like? Sing Psalter 96.

November 1 Read Proverbs 12:1-7

We are approximately two months into the school year, the catechism season, and for many, young people’s society. We would do well to heed the admonition found in verse 1. Do you love knowledge, young people? Are you applying yourselves wholeheartedly into your studies and doing as Paul admonished Timothy to: study to show yourselves approved before God? This is your calling, beloved young people and children. Do not fritter away your time in these activities and show yourselves slothful in these endeavors. To do this is a sin against the eighth commandment. Parents, are you making sure your children and teenagers are diligent in these works? This is your calling in this matter. To love the instruction and knowledge of the Lord is the calling of all of God’s people. Let us not hate the reproof of those whom God has placed in authority over us and the reproof of God. Let us not be brutish and ignorant. Sing Psalter 213:3-4.

November 2 Read Proverbs 12:8-14

Not only does Solomon admonish us to study, he also in verse 11 admonishes us to work diligently at whatever we place our hand to do. He expresses a truth which seems, and is, straight-forward. When we work diligently, we will be rewarded. This may come in the form of a crop or a paycheck. Oh, sometimes the crop or paycheck may not be what we desire but it will be that which God desires to give to us. Our young people need to hear and heed this admonition as they begin their first forays into the work world. They, and we that are older as well, also need the admonition of the second part of verse 11. We may want to team up with the idlers at our jobs and give less than a full hour’s work for an hour’s pay. Let us not go this way but let us put our whole heart into our work as God has commanded throughout Scripture. Sing Psalter 24.

November 3 Read Proverbs 12:15-22

Several verses in this section speak of our tongue and its use. This is a subject which can be found in the Old and New Testaments alike. Just think of James 3 for example. How are you using your tongues, people of God of all ages? What about lying? It seems to be a very easy matter to tell a lie. Even the youngest of our children can be very proficient in this sin. Parents, do you teach your children to lie by example or by permission? This is very easy to do in order not to suffer the consequences of some words or actions. One of the Psalms is very succinct in this matter, “Let the lying lips be put to silence.“ Guard your tongues, young people. Parents, guard the tongues of your children and young people because, as James says, the tongue can start the fires of hell in our lives. Sing Psalter 343.

November 4 Read Proverbs 12:23-28

The words of verse 27 are very applicable in today’s society. How much material wealth ends up in the landfills of the world? How much do we have that we just throw away because we do not want it any longer? Just examine the practices of our homes, schools, and churches to see the truth of these words. Our material wealth is a gift from God and should not be wasted. All that we have must be used for his service and is not to end up in the trash. To fall into the sin examined in this verse is to sin against the eighth commandment. The Westminster Shorter Catechism in its exposition of eighth commandment makes it plain that we can sin against the eighth commandment by misusing what God has given to us. Let us heed the admonishment found in this verse. Sing Psalter 27.

November 5 Read Proverbs 13:1-6

In verse three we have more instruction about the tongue. Here the instruction covers a broader area. Are you fond of telling about the misfortunes of one of your neighbors? This is wrong whether the story is true or false. Paul tells us to “speak the truth in love.“ We do well to heed that admonition. Are you fond of saying swear words that are either vulgar or profane? This seems to be a trade mark of young people and even children of this age, and to my sorrow our children and young people seem to delight in this practice. We as parents, ministers, elders, and teachers need to be on guard to root this sin out of our children and young people’s lives. Let us help them keep from destruction and walk in the way of life. Sing Psalter 391.

November 6 Read Proverbs 13:7-12

This book speaks often of wisdom. This wisdom is the wisdom which comes from above. But part of that wisdom is wisdom about our earthly life. Part of that wisdom means that we do not become proud about our accomplishments in this life. Have we become successful in business? To whom do we give the credit? Are we doing well in some aspect of our school work? Do we give to God the glory due to his name? According to verse ten, pride causes contention. How true this is in many aspects of our lives. We contend with our neighbors to be number one at something and we begin to fight and bicker about it. Let us be well advised and follow after the wisdom which warns us to flee pride. Sing Psalter 81.

November 7 Read Proverbs 13:13-18

Verse 13 can serve as a theme verse for this section of chapters in the book of Proverbs. The “word,” of course, is the Word of God as we have it in the Bible. The synonym as found in the second half of this antithetical parallelism is also God’s Word. We are commanded to not despise the Word of Almighty God. In that Word we can find instruction on all of life’s situations. I challenge you to find one thing that is not addressed in Scripture. Let us flee destruction and seek the reward that God gives to those who obey his Word in all things. Sing Psalter 338.

November 8 Read Proverbs 13:19-25

Parents, who are your friends? What kind of example are you providing your children with your friendships in this world? Those with whom we keep company affect our lives in many ways. They shape our patterns of speech and our choices of entertainment. If we do not show discretion in our choices of companions in this life, neither will our children. We will have no one to blame for their bad choices but ourselves. When we mourn their choice of a life’s mate, we must remember who taught them to pick. If we walk with fools, we face destruction. If we teach our children to walk with fools, we should have the millstone spoken of by Christ hung about our necks. Sing Psalter 170.

November 9 Read Proverbs 14:1-7

Young people, but also people of all ages, how easy is it for you to leave someone who shows himself a fool by his words? Can you leave someone who with his mouth speaks evil words? Can you refuse to socialize with one who denies the God of the Bible? We must realize that our presence with this kind of a person condones what they say. We may say we are trying to witness but the best kind of a witness in such a circumstance is to leave this person, tell him why you are leaving, and do not keep company with him until his manner of speech changes. Notice that Solomon does not give this as a suggestion; it is given as a command. Leave the presence of such persons, people of God, and be blessed. Sing Psalter 369.

November 10 Read Proverbs 14:8-14

We might be inclined after reading verse 12 to say that we are capable of making decisions that are right and prudent. This is not the testimony of Solomon to his son and to the church of all ages. Man’s nature, which we have, is inclined to all evil. We make decisions that we might justify, but are wrong. We must examine our chosen way in the light of Scripture and see that our way is in accord with God’s Way. It may seem oh so right to us, but really oh so wrong. Our way may end up leading to eternal death in hell. Let us not walk in that way but rather walk in the Ways of God. Sing Psalter 16:1-3, 7-8.

November 11 Read Proverbs 14:15-21

Verse 21 is another example of antithetical parallelism. First of all we are admonished not to despise our neighbors. While the verse does not tell us exactly what form this despising might take, we can tell from the second part that it is not helping our neighbor in distress. This distress may be monetary, emotional, or spiritual in form. According to the second half of the verse, we are to have mercy upon those who are poor. People may be poor in any of the three ways mentioned above. Are you merciful to the poor, people of God? Children, do you show mercy to all in your class who may need your mercy? Young people, how merciful are you? Parents and other adults, what kind of examples are you toward your children and young people in this matter? Let us show mercy because we have been shown mercy by a merciful God who sent his Son to die on the cross in our place. Sing Psalter 305.

November 12 Read Proverbs 14:22-28

In verses 26 and 27 Solomon comes back to the main theme of this book—wisdom as expressed in the fear of Jehovah. He does this because it is only in the fear of Jehovah that we can flee all types of sin. Each of the sins that he warns against in this book can only be avoided by the grace of God. These are comforting words to parents. Parents who worry daily about their children’s salvation can rest assured that in the fear of Jehovah they and their children have a refuge. Parents can also take instruction in that they must hold the fear of Jehovah before their covenant seed. There is no refuge in the devil’s practices; do not teach them to your children, God-fearing parents! Children and young people, you, too, have the assurance of a refuge in the fear of Jehovah. Seek that fear and walk in it. Sing Psalter 88.

November 13 Read Proverbs 14:29-35

Verse 29 speaks volumes to God’s people. To be slow to anger is a characteristic we must cultivate in our lives. We must teach this to our children and young people by word and by example. Young people, you can exercise patience. You must exercise patience. To lose one’s cool or temper is to fall into Satan’s snare. To do this is to break the sixth commandment and murder whomever we are angry with. We must think first and speak or act second. Counting to ten may not be enough; maybe we need to count to one hundred and if that does not help, we should fall upon our knees in prayer for help in this matter. Seek to be known for great understanding and flee the folly of flying into a rage. Make this part of your daily meditation and prayers. Sing Psalter 51.

November 14 Read Proverbs 15:1-7

Stop and ponder verse three…. Are you finished? Do it again…. The truth of this verse should excite in us a prayer for help from our God. If his eyes are in every place, He sees all of our sins. We know that he hates sin and requires it to be paid for. We cannot hide from the all-seeing God. Jonah tried; he found out that it was impossible. Ananias and Sapphira tried and look where it got them. Little children, you cannot hide from God for he sees all that you do. Young people, the darkness does not cover your sins. Walk in the light as found in the Bible. Adults, show your children and young people that God sees all of your works too. Confess your sins and walk wisely. Sing Psalter 384.

November 15 Read Proverbs 15:8-13

After sin came into this world, God instituted outward forms of worship of himself. The way of the bloody sacrifice was the way that he prescribed to find assurance of the forgiveness of sin. Cain tried to change that method and God was not pleased with his sacrifice. Many people have tried to sacrifice in their own way. God is not pleased with them either. Verse eight tells us that a wicked sacrifice is an abomination to the Lord. This sacrifice does not delight him as the prayer of the righteous. Let us learn how to pray, let us teach our children to pray, and let us seek to delight the Lord in our prayers knowing that he will hear them through the sacrifice of his Son. Sing Psalter 9.