The Crooked Arrow
THE CROOKED ARROW
Read Psalm 127.
Scott shuffled along as he and his father went out to practice using their new bow and arrows. He was angry because he had been grounded for going to a friend’s house without telling his parents where he was going.
Dad shot first. His arrow completely missed the target. Scott didn’t try to hide his snickers. “Okay,” Dad said, “let’s see you do better!”
Scott took careful aim. He gave his father a superior smile as he hit the bottom of the target. After several more tries, both of them could hit the target most of the time. Then Dad saw a bent arrow. “I wonder what happened to this one,” he said. “Why don’t you try it to see what happens.”
Scott tried it. The crooked arrow flew in a crazy arc and got lost in a tangle of prickly blackberry bushes. “I’m not going after that one!” exclaimed Scott.
“We’ll leave it,” agreed Dad. “Crooked arrows aren’t any good. That’s why I don’t want you to be one.”
“What are you talking about?” Scott asked.
“Well,” said Dad, “in Psalm 127 God says that children are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. God expects parents to keep the arrows straight. When we send you off on your own, you must be able to hit the target by living a life that pleases God. If we don’t straighten you out when you’re young, you may land in thorny situations.”
As they finished collecting the arrows, Scott began to feel almost glad about being disciplined. After all, Dad was just obeying God. And Scott did not want to grow up crooked.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you learn from your parents when they discipline you? God has given them the tremendously important job of raising you properly. They need to straighten you out when you start down the crooked path of sin.
TO MEMORIZE:
A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.
Proverbs 22:15
THANK GOD FOR CORRECTION.
From the book
