Proverbs 14:1-35
Saturday, 16 September 2023
“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways… ” -Proverbs 14:8
Are you at the crossroads of life- undecided on which way to take? The world offers a lot of ways for a man to choose from- many of them look attractive, lucrative, easy, and convenient but where do they lead you to? What is the end of them all? Have you considered thinking of it?
Proverbs 21: 2 says, “All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.” There is a way which seems right to him but in the end is death (Prov.14:12). So you see that not all of the ways which seem right to us is right. The ways of the world, most often sugarcoated with its wisdom may be mingled with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
If we are wise/prudent, its time we give careful thought to our ways. In examining our ways, we need to know:
1. Where we are at:
Even the stork in the sky knows the seasons, and the dove, swallow, and crane return in due time. But my people don’t know the LORD’s ways. (Jer.8:7 CEB). Many have no sense of direction what way their life should take. They would rather take life as it comes- live for the moment- enjoy life and not think of tomorrow as the Epicurean principle goes: “Eat, drink and be merry; for tomorrow we die.” There is no more to life than the moment- they have put GOD out of their lives and do not know His way. Others live carelessly in sin as if they can get away with it. Well, you have a recipe for disaster! Dear friend, be certain that such a path leads only to destruction and hell. There is a life after death that one needs to think of and the path that you choose to walk today determines where you will end up tomorrow.
2. Where we need to be:
If it is our decision to choose to walk in GOD’s ways let us look at what Deut.5:33 says: “You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your GOD has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you…” The Bible clearly instructs a man to walk in God’s ways which calls for aligning one’s life to Him. The Amplified version of Prov.14:8 says: The Wisdom [godly Wisdom, which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of [self-confident] fools is to deceive. We need to seek after godly wisdom which is a comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God. Proverbs 3: 5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” If you are one who has not sought God in directing your life, ask Him for wisdom to lead you in the right way, in making right decisions. Jesus said, “I am THE WAY, the Truth and the Life!”(John 14:6) When you have a pointer leading you to the right path, why hesitate to acknowledge Him? When you have the manual for your life- GOD’s Word, why not dig into it to find out how to live purposefully? Will you give careful thought to your ways? In doing so, will you choose to walk in GOD’s way?
Thought for the Day: Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people)… [Ephesains 5:15 AMP]
Listen: 'My Lighthouse'