To Young People – A Hopeful Future

“A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.” Proverbs 13:1 

While reading our Proverbs for the day, I took the time to look at Matthew Henry’s comments on the very first verse of the chapter. This verse, like others in Proverbs, gives a distinguishing characteristic of a wise son/daughter and a foolish son/daughter. It would be a good thing for young people to read the following for, although they may THINK they have it all together, this contrast gives a good starting point for determining whether one is wise or foolish.

“Among the children of the same parents it is no new thing for some to be hopeful and others the contrary; now here we are taught to distinguish. 1. There is great hope of those that have a reverence for their parents, and are willing to be advised and admonished by them. He is a wise son, and is in a far way to be wiser, that hears his father’s instruction, desires to hear it, regards it, and complies with it, and does not merely give it the hearing. 2. There is little hope of those that will not so much as hear rebuke with any patience, but scorn to submit to government and scoff at those that deal faithfully with them. How can those mend a fault who will not be told of it, but count those their enemies who do them that kindness?” ~ Matthew Henry

To those young people who desire a bright, hopeful future – take heed!