Proverbs 19:20-21
Listen to advice and accept discipline, so that you will be wise in the future. There are many plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Incredibly, you have to tell us to listen to advice and accept discipline. One would think this is common sense; someone who sees our situation and can help us along the way, we would take any help we can get. The problem is that we are sinful humans. So, when someone gives us unsolicited advice, especially advice that conflicts with what we want to do. We take it as a personal attack; our pride gets involved, and we don’t listen. And, we may sit in front of that person, nodding our head in agreement, but the entire time we are thinking, “I am gonna show them, I’ll do it my way.” Please forgive us!
Lord, soften our hearts with your word. Through it, you have told us how Jesus did not come into this world to do things his way but do according to your purpose. And your purpose prevailed, he readily did your will, and that was to go to the cross to suffer for our sins. To forgive us when our pride gets in the way. Lord, you take great care of us throughout our lives, and how many times do you place people in front of us to give us advice or discipline us; for us to do your will? You send those out regularly who minister to us, correct us when we have sinned, and forgive us when we repent. Your work is done through others who share the word and sacraments so that we will be wise for the future.
Heavenly Father, thank you for placing others into my life. Please have them give me godly advice and not be afraid of disciplining me when I have erred. Let me also do your will by sharing the good news of my Savior with others, so they too will be wise in the future. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Know that we are not in this world on our own or have to go it alone, but God has given us others around us to help us in our wilderness journey. They might know where the water holes are or where to rest—no harm in listening to godly advice.