Our verses for today, from a father to a son, encourage faithfulness in marriage. They could've been written by any parent to any child; just change the "her" to "him", "woman" to "man", and "she" to "he" and the universal application is complete. And, if you think these words don't apply to you, read them in the context of yourself and God. What happens when we are tempted (by a he or a she) to be unfaithful to what we know to be right or what we know to be God's will for our life? 

My child, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, so that you may hold on to prudence, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a loose woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death .. She does not keep straight to the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. And now, my child, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house; or you will give your honor to others .. and at the end of your life you will groan .. and you say, “Oh, how I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. Now I am at the point of utter ruin." Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well .. Let them be for yourself alone, and not for sharing with strangers. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. May her breasts satisfy you at all times; may you be intoxicated always by her love .. For human ways are under the eyes of the Lord, and he examines all their paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare them, and they are caught in the toils of their sin. They die for lack of discipline, and because of their great folly they are lost.  (Prov. 5)

Others may not keep on the path (remember, we discussed paths yesterday - if you missed it, you can scroll down and read yesterday's Meditate at Eight), but we are called to remain faithful to God and stay true to what we know to be right. Those who are not Christian (or who have strayed off the paths themselves) will try and entice or ensnare us by telling us we are foolish or naive to believe in God or by pointing out statements or actions of other so-called Christians that have not been loving of others. We need to remember that in the end we will not be asked to account for others - we will have to account for our own "lack of discipline" or "folly."

Prayer suggestion: Pray that God help you be faithful to Him in everything you think, say, or do. Pray that when you are tempted by anything or anyone in this life that you find the courage to remain true to what you know to be right. May you always be intoxicated by the amazing love and grace that God has for you!