Happy Tuesday

Steadfast Determination

"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 following evil." Proverbs 4: 25-27, NLT

The author of Proverbs shares his wisdom to prepare his son, as well as all those willing to listen to wisdom, for life. In the famous passages of chapter 3 and 4 we find so much good advice about how to conduct a life which is built on God’s solid, righteous foundations. It’s promised that those who follow these instructions will be free from ‘fear of sudden disaster’ and will have the ability to ‘go their way in safety’ (Proverbs 3:23-26).

As I’m writing this devotional, superstorm Sandy has started to hit the North-American coastline. By the time you read this it will probably be evident exactly how much damage has been done. Without doubt, because of sophisticated technological forecasts, lives will have been saved due to appropriate warnings for those living in high-risk areas. One thing however can already be said: only those who’ve headed the warnings in time will have received their benefits.

In today’s verse we find advice that we should be completely determined to walk in God’s ways. I think this is much needed advice, and incredibly valuable, for those of us alive today. Just as weathermen could see this enormous storm approaching, so God knows that, in the coming days, pressure on Christians world-wide will increase.

In western society a curious type of social pressure is on the rise. More and more, that which is actually good is being called bad, and vice versa, and there’s a force which seems to insist that we ‘sing along to it all quite nicely’. I believe it’s safe to say we’re currently witnessing an increase in what the Bible calls ‘lawlessness’. We can see an attitude emerging which causes society to do whatever it wants, and refuses be restrained by the righteous laws of God.

Having said all this, things perhaps aren’t all that bad yet. As Christians, we enjoy freedom to worship publicly, express our beliefs and maintain our creed. But what if things changed in this regard? Would we be ready to face persecution? Whether persecution will come in our lifetimes or not, we’d do well to take to heart the counsel of the book of Proverbs. Let’s look straight ahead. Let’s make sure we’re walking in God’s ways, and let’s be absolutely determined to honour God in all our ways, whatever may happen. And let’s ask the Lord today to prepare us for the future that’s ahead of us, so we may know that, in each circumstance, we’ll remain close to Him and that He’ll hold us safe in His hands.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You that You know the beginning from the end. Please help me to draw close to You and to grow strong, so I can know that whatever comes my way, I’ll be able to rest securely in You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Today's Writer : Peter Brokaar