Proverbs 4.25-27
“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 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.”
There is nothing more important in life than to get on the right path and stay on the right path. It is for this purpose that God created us and redeemed us. It is a daily calling, and it extends to every sphere of our lives. We must pay attention to the path and stay focused. We must not get distracted.
As we see in Proverbs, the metaphor of “the path” or “the way” or “walk” is a recurring theme. It’s a fitting description of the life to which the Lord calls his people. There is a path — a way — that the Lord lays out for his people, and he wants us to see the path, follow the path, and stay on the path. In other words, there is a way that God wants us to live and work.
> The Lord makes it clear that there is a right path and a wrong path. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7.13-14)
> The wrong path is seductive and deadly. “There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
> The Lord calls us to the right path. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” (Ephesians 4.1)
> He has given us wisdom and guidance to keep us on the right path. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path …” (Proverbs 2:6-9)
> He provides illumination so we can see the right path. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119.105)
> He provides his power and strength so we can walk the right path. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1.3)
> We will face adversity and difficulty on the path. There will be obstacles. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)
> If we stumble, he provides grace and forgiveness when we confess and repent, which allows us to get back on the right path. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1.9)
I say again, there is nothing more important in life than to get on the right path and stay on the right path. It is for this purpose that God created us and redeemed us. It is a daily calling, and it extends to every sphere of our lives. We must pay attention to the path and stay focused. We must not get distracted.
Trust God and do the work. Stay on path.
