Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4:26-27 (ESV)
Series Focus: “Let There Be Light”
We are faced with so many decisions every. single. day. Some have no effect on our successes, failures, or salvation. Others pose the possibility of a completely different destiny. Most people make small choices easily. Big decisions, however, present more of a challenge. Sometimes, the opportunities at hand have more to do with our wants versus our needs; our flesh versus our spirits; or right versus wrong.
When confronted with these types of options, how can we be steadfast to choose the “right” thing? Proverbs 4 provides great instruction concerning these situations. Proverbs 4:18-19 (ESV) says:
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
When weighing the choices before us, we would be wise to point ourselves to scripture, surrender and prayer. The Word of God provides instruction, wisdom and truth. Surrender facilitates our commitment to die to our own will and live for God’s. And prayer allows God’s truth to be reinforced within us as we invest in our relationship with our Father. These three components will help establish obedience within our hearts.
God will always lead us in righteousness. His ways are perfect. The Psalmist declared God leads him beside quiet waters, restores his soul and guides him in paths of righteousness. Scriptures proclaim over and again that the Word of God is a light to our path. Isaiah prophesied that the Teacher would tell us the way we should go. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, and He will lead us into all truth.
From days of old, God posed this statement, as recorded in Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV):
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days.
When encountering a fork in the road, let’s seek God in His word and in prayer, asking Him to show us the way we should go. The Holy Spirit will help us discern the direction that promotes life, love, and godliness. Dying to our selfish desires can be tough. But selfishness always leads to stumbling, darkness, and death. Let’s choose obedience and experience the light of dawn growing brighter as we follow the good path God has set before us.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Proverbs 4; 2 Timothy 3:16; Galatians 2:20, 5:24; Matthew 26:41; Romans 6:16-17; Psalm 18:30, 23:1-3, 25:4-10, 119; Isaiah 30:20-21; John 16:13; Deuteronomy 30:19-20
