February 23, 2026 -- Proverbs 4:1-2 -- Choose to rehearse good instruction

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
2  for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Proverbs 4:1–2.
 
Choose to go back to wise instruction, throughout your life, let it be something you rehearse repeatedly in your life. Sometimes friends are recommending movies to one another, talking about the plot, the characters, the action and as often as they mention it, they are letting it dig deeper into their heart and imagination. I wonder, how often do we speak of our past instruction in godliness, so that it digs deeper into our imagination and heart? When we speak of teachings, of sermons, of our walk with God it will lead to giving praise and thanks to God for His goodness and His rich blessings.
 
Some of you might protest, but my father (or my mother) were not Christians at all. Fair enough. Who taught you the way of salvation? Who had such an influence on you that instruction in the way of the LORD became your moral compass and led you to follow Jesus Christ in humble obedience? Give thanks to God for such teachers.
 
Precepts are persuasive teaching—which can be wicked, like the silky-smooth words of an adulteress which would lead you to damnation—or precepts are godly instructions which convince you of the majesty of God. The Holy Spirit works in you through the reading of the Word so that you long to personally acquire and integrate into your life all that your honorable teachers taught you.
 
Then comes a warning: “do not forsake my teaching”. There will be tremendous pressures to cave-in and compromise. Jesus warned His followers, if the world hated Him, how much more will the world hate those who follow Him?! It gets even more difficult, even among fellow Christians there will be times when you are pressured to compromise or forsake some aspect of the truth of God’s word. You read how the apostles themselves had to wrestle with the bible, even vehemently disagreeing on how to interpret it correctly. Be attentive to all that is commanded. Be prepared to walk humbly and faithfully in the power of the Spirit and in true Christian community. It is hard work. It is holy work.
 
Humble me for not being as holy as I should be,
or as holy as I might be through Christ,
for You are all, and to possess You is to possess all. Amen
From “Reliance”, The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions, page 177
 
https://youtu.be/D36CbGfd2Dw?si=8iFzS1pfn7MuRTh2 Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord
 

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