Bring Joy

DEVOTION PROVERBS BRINGING JOY Prov 15:20 20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. NIV It would seem this saying deals with the relational behaviors within the family structure. But why wouldn’t a wise man also bring joy to his mother as well as a foolish man despising his father? One commentator of the eighteenth century would suggest young men despise their mothers because of the weakness of the feminine mind. This of course is absurd and could only be said because of the cultural views of men in those days. This only proves this has a meaning far beyond the earthy family relationships and how they have been perceived in certain times throughout history. I am confident God would have believers to honor both their parents equally and bring joy to both as any righteous child would. But as there is also a contrast between wise and foolish and father and mother there is also a truth about the creator and the created. There seems to be no question about those who do not believe being foolish by despising the true parent, God. They despise His truth because it exposes their disobedience. His Word shines the light into the darkness of their hearts and they cannot tolerate forsaking their passions so they despise Him. Because they hold Him in contempt they endeavor to remove any sign of Him from their view. They refuse to accept His very existence so as to be able to continue in their self-gratifying pleasures without any shame or guilt. But the believer who honors God, who honors the true parent of all mankind, brings great joy to the Father of us all. It is only the foolish who despise, while the wise that honor God. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives it brings a great joy to God for now he knows we love him and desires to live according to His plan for us. When we accept Jesus into our lives we are returning to the original desire of God to be in fellowship with His creation. We are once again able to walk and talk with Him in the cool of the day. We experience His care and concern for our well-being because He is a loving parent. It is truly a foolish thing to hold God in contempt as that will only result in a horrible unhappy life as well as a horrific ending to that life. Give God Joy and live!