Devotion for July 26, 2008

Stay the Course

“My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, [And] so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. 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.” (Proverbs 3:1-6 NKJV)

I know a man whose boss used to tell him to lie to customers if something was messed up on their order. Maybe you have been tempted to lie about issues because it seems like it might be easier than dealing with them honestly. Perhaps you are tempted to cheat your employer by pilfering or loafing on the job while you reason, “He doesn’t pay me enough anyway.”

Friend, do not fall into this wickedness, but stay the course. It may seem reasonable to take the easy, albeit, wicked way, but its end will cost you dearly. Life and peace are normal for those who walk in holiness. Keep His commands and you will find favor with God and man.

There are so many injustices in the world that one is tempted to try to balance them out. Reason screams justification for an unjust response. However, reason is working with flesh in this case for there is no just sin. Therefore, the solution is not to lean on your own understanding, but to trust the Lord with all your heart.

As the Scripture says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” That means no matter what you find yourself engaged in you are always to yield to His will. You know His will by consulting His Word. So the next time you are tempted to go your own way remember this passage and this promise: “And He shall direct your paths.”