Read
The Right Way
10My child, if you listen
and obey my teachings,
you will live a long time.
11I have shown you the way
that makes sense;
I have guided you
along the right path.
12Your road won't be blocked,
and you won't stumble
when you run.
13Hold firmly to my teaching
and never let go.
It will mean life for you.
14Don't follow the bad example
of cruel and evil people.
15Turn aside and keep going.
Stay away from them.
16They can't sleep or rest
until they do wrong or harm
some innocent victim.
17Their food and drink
are cruelty and wickedness.
18The lifestyle of good people
is like sunlight at dawn
that keeps getting brighter
until broad daylight.
19The lifestyle of the wicked
is like total darkness,
and they will never know
what makes them stumble.
Reflect
We were in the middle of a deep cave in Papua New Guinea when our guide said, “I will leave you now to bring the others.” When he disappeared around a bend, taking the only flashlight with him, the darkness was complete. We dared not move from where we stood for fear of falling over or into something that could harm us. It seemed an eternity before we saw the pale glow of light again as the guide returned and we continued deeper into the cave. Without the light of that flashlight we could not have navigated our way out.
The writer of these words in Proverbs lays out the contrasts of light and darkness, the true path and the one that leads to evil. He paints a vivid picture of those who do evil. They are obsessed with cruelty and violence, filled up with it and so steeped in darkness that they are not even aware of what drives them or what makes them fall. The righteous, on the other hand, flourish and grow in goodness until a final dawn.
Repeating his previous admonition, the father encourages his son to avoid the darkness that traps evil doers, by listening and obeying, by “holding firm” to his teaching. The ‘if’ of obedience is followed by the promise of long life. He alludes again to the athlete running a race, assuring his son that he will not stumble if he continues on the right path.
Respond
Our Father in Heaven, we thank you that you are our light, the way to life and health. We ask that you keep us from following the path into darkness, help us to obey you in all things, to hold tightly to your teachings so that our lives will shine for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Marcia Lee Laycock
Marcia Lee Laycock is an award-winning writer and sought-after speaker. Having lived a few kilometers from the Arctic Circle, and two degrees off the Equator, her writing draws from a rich field of experiences. Marcia was the winner of the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone, and she now has four devotional books and a fantasy series in print, which have also garnered awards. Marcia lives in central Alberta with her pastor husband. They have three grown daughters and two huge Great Dane grand-puppies.