Staying the Course
Proverbs 4
In this Proverb, the father is instructing the son to listen to the wisdom, advice, and counsel given by him and his mother. He contrasts the way of the wicked in vs 16-17 and 19 which says, “For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble. The way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over” with the way of the righteous which vs 18 says, “The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.”
Have you ever hiked before? I am not that big of a hiker, but I will occasionally go on hikes. The first time I went on a hike, which was an all day hike, I found myself getting tired and stumbling a lot. I had to look and stare at my feet constantly and view what was ahead in the path. I needed to know so I did not trip on rocks, or if the ground was uneven. The same is with our Christian walk. We know the Devil crawls around like a roaring lion, ready to devour and destroy us (1st Peter 5:8). As Solomon was writing for the reader, his son, to be warned and to know the consequences of sin, of wickedness. Psalm 1 says, “Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all that they do. But not the wicke! They are worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”
In closing as Solomon wrote to end this chapter, “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked keep your feet from evil.” Watch what is ahead of you, the Devil is smart and crafty and wants us to fall. Cling to the Lord and his Word as the word is light and guide to our path (Psalm 119:105). Read Everyday!
