Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Proverbs 23:13-35 and Psalm 61

“O my son, give me your heart.
    May your eyes take delight in following my ways.” (v.26)

Centuries later, the apostle Paul would write: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Today’s key verse from Proverbs 23 has the same ring to it.

In Proverbs 23:26, the author invites his son to “cause his eyes to follow” his ways. It’s an invitation to observe every aspect of his life closely. His prayer is that in so doing, the son will find reason to take delight in his father and give him his respect and his heart. In other words, the father hopes that his son will come to admire and love him more through close observation. This is the polar opposite of the old adage: “Do as I say but not as I do!”

This is: “Watch what I do, then do as I do”.

What an immensely challenging thought it is, that we could ever encourage someone else to imitate us, or take delight in following our ways. To do such a thing, one must surely have great confidence in one’s capacity to live blamelessly and in wisdom before God. The fact that this is challenging and daunting should not put us off aspiring to live Christ-following lives that others can imitate gladly. We ought to aim high and seek to remain in step with Christ. But we should also always remember that we do not imitate Christ in our own strength. We do so in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

Lord, grant me the grace to live every moment of this day in a way that is pleasing to you and inspiring to others, not in my own strength, but in the power of Your Spirit. Amen!