Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Proverbs 20:7: The righteous who walks in his integrity – blessed are his children after him! (ESV)

How could our children be abundantly blessed while we are still living – and more so after we have left this world? Some people think that by leaving them with a huge inheritance of money, business enterprises, and real estate is correct answer. However, the reality is that children of godly men usually will be blessed with greater wisdom and favor from God regardless of their status or economic positions.

Proverbs 20:7 tells us that the best thing we can do for our children is to live with integrity because godliness should first and foremost be exhibited in the home and modelled through our daily living. Living life with integrity refers to a person who walks the talk and not just talks the talk. They live by the fear of God, and faith in Christ, and keeping all the commandments. They do what is right and holy in the sight of God. Their focus and affections are set on heaven above, constantly seeking the Lord with their whole beings and daily crucify their sinful lusts with Christ.

They are not self-righteous. They do not have a high opinion or inflated ego of themselves. They gladly condescend to men of low estate (Romans 12: 16); to love and serve in any way and every way they can. They rejoice in God’s forgiveness of their sins and readily forgive others because of the grace they have received from God. They frequently examine their hearts and reject all kinds of sinful attributes such as bitterness, pride, envy, jealousy etc.

They know their relationships with others are one of God’s measures. They carefully and fervently fulfil their duties to the church, employers, parents, wives, and children. They are encouragers and peacemakers to the people around them.

Psalm 112:1-2 – “Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands? Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.”

May we be wise parents, teaching and imparting the things of God to our children. Let us also learn to walk our talk so that they may learn from us by our examples. Let us grasp the promise of this proverb. Live humbly and walk justly before God, and our children will be blessed according to the wisdom of Proverbs 20:7.

Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us to live with integrity every day of our life. We thank you for Jesus who is our perfect example. Help us each day to walk in such a way that we will be worthy witnesses for Jesus to the people around us. Grant us strength to lead our lives with integrity especially pertaining to our words, actions, and conduct.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Ps. Wallace Ong

xxx

每日灵粮
20/05/20星期三
作者：王振威传道
箴言20:7 行为纯正的义人、他的子孙、是有福的。
在我们仍然活着的时候，我们都想着要如何让我们的孩子得到丰盛的祝福—而在我们离开这个世界之后更是如此。有些人认为，让他们继承大量的金钱，企业和房地产是正确的解决方案。然而，事实上，敬虔人的孩子通常会蒙受上帝所祝福的真智慧和喜悦，无论他们的身份或经济地位如何。

箴言20：7告诉我们，我们能够带给孩子最好的东西就是行为纯正，因为我们首先最要紧的是在家庭中展现出我们的敬虔，并在日常生活中以此为榜样。生活中行为纯正乃是指一个人言行一致，而不是空言无补。这些人敬畏上帝，信靠基督，并遵行所有的诫命。他们行神眼中看为正直且圣洁的事。他们的焦点与情感都放在天国的事上，用他们的一生恒切的寻求神，并每天把他们罪恶的情欲与基督同钉十字架。

他们并不是自以为义。他们对自己没有过高的评价或自我膨胀。他们乐于俯就卑微的人（罗马书12：16）。尽他们一切的可能去关爱和服务他人。他们因上帝赦免自己的罪而喜乐，就欣然的原谅他人，因为他们已从神那里领受了这个恩典。他们经常审查自己的内心，拒绝各种罪恶，例如苦毒，骄傲，嫉妒，猜忌等。

他们知道他们与他人的关系是上帝所衡量的标准之一。他们谨慎且热心地履行对教会，雇主，父母，妻子和孩子的职责。他们是人们的鼓舞者和调解人。

诗篇112：1-2你们要赞美耶和华。敬畏耶和华、甚喜爱他命令的、这人便为有福。他的后裔在世必强盛．正直人的后代、必要蒙福。

愿我们成为有智慧的父母，向我们的孩子们教导并传授上帝的事物。让我们也学会言行一致，好让他们可以学习我们的榜样。让我们抓紧箴言的应许。在神面前谦卑的生活和行为正直，那么我们的孩子就蒙受箴言20：7里所祝福的智慧。

祈祷：
亲爱的天父，
帮助我们在日常生活中行为纯正。我们为耶稣这个完美的榜样感谢你。每天帮助我们以这样的方式活出来，使我们成为耶稣的见证人。赋予我们能力，让我们行为纯正，尤其是在我们的言语，行为和举止上。
我们奉耶稣的名祷告。阿们。

陈月妃译