Prov 4:26-27 “Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.”
Solomon spends a great deal of time in the early chapters of the book of Proverbs instructing his children about the benefits of wisdom. He is trying to equip them for life. A life that will be spent living away from mom and dad and the safety of their childhood home. It is the responsibility of parents, especially fathers, to provide wise instruction to their children. It is our responsibility to train then in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4). By providing them with the knowledge and fear of God we are trusting that they will apply this knowledge wisely in the decisions they make in their life as they grow older.
In these verses the wise man encourages his children to carefully contemplate the path which they choose to traverse in their lifetime. We even spend a great deal of our time teaching our children the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. Quite often our kids will attempt to choose multiple paths, some of which we warned them about and wish they would have avoided. Careers often change and lead us down different roads. Friends we once ran around with change, from those in high school and college, to those friendships we establish as adults. Life has a way of throwing roadblocks in our path but the one who has established his ways in the Lord will know how to adjust or correct his course of travel so that he keeps himself on the straight and narrow road.
For those who still have young children, keep teaching them. For example we have all said to our toddlers, “Don’t touch the stove it’s hot!” and many did not learn the lesson until they touched the stove and experienced it for themselves. However, they later understood that you only had their safety and best interest at heart. The same is true of providing biblical instruction to our offspring from their youth up. Don’t give up on providing your children with proper spiritual instruction even though you may feel it has gone unheeded. With the instruction you will provide them with the knowledge of God. You will teach them to revere and respect God’s way. Though they may ere from time to time if they have been given a proper foundation for their faith they will return to the path that will save their lives (Prov 22:16).
I want to be able to say to my children as Solomon did his, “I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths” (Prov 4:11). I want my two sons to follow the path of the wise and I know you want your children to do the same. Therefore, no matter how old they are encourage them to make wise choices founded upon the wisdom of God. Continue to advise them to turn away from the path that leads them away from God and exhort them to establish themselves in the ways of God, walking the road that leads to eternal life.
– BL