STAY ON THE RIGHT PATHS
Proverbs 2:13,20 NKJV
13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;
20 So you may walk in the way of goodness,
And keep to the paths of righteousness.
Seven times in this Proverbs chapter two, the word 'paths' is mentioned. This would be one of those times when reading the chapter that I noticed that word. It is amazing how God's Word can come alive. Even though I have read this one chapter numerous times, I never focused on the word paths. But here it is.
Joy and I were having a discussion at lunch about paths. We spoke of how the Lord has helped and blessed our marriage over the years. Even though we had a rough start, things got better. Much better. But I believe we can paint the wrong picture when we say the Lord blessed our marriage and leave it at that. It gives the impression that the Lord just chose to bless us, and now our marriage is great. So many struggle in their marriage and have prayed for their marriages to improve. They wonder why the Lord doesn't just bless their marriage as He did for Joy and me.
This is why it's important to talk about the paths we took to have a better marriage. Verse thirteen speaks of those who leave the paths of uprightness. These are the paths that the Lord has ordained for our good. But the Lord will not make us stay on these paths. For example, forgiveness is a path of uprightness. The Lord has forgiven us, and we are to be kind and forgiving to one another. But that's a path that is easy to leave. And when we get off the forgiveness path, we start down a dark way. How often unforgiveness turns into bitterness, and that's not a healthy path for anyone.
This chapter of Proverbs starts with seeking the wisdom and ways of God. When we seek, we will find. Joy and I both sought for God's ways and wisdom for our lives, and that had an impact on our marriage. And let me emphasize the word both. When it comes to walking with the Lord, that is totally within an individual's control. When it comes to having a successful marriage, it takes two who are willing to walk on the Lord's paths. Two, who are willing to make mistakes, get forgiveness and try again.
Joy and I may have done things backwards. We were committed to our marriage, but we were more committed to walking with the Lord and doing those things that were pleasing in His sight. As we grew in our relationship with the Lord, we grew in our marriage. God's paths work. They are not the easiest paths to follow, for we often have to drag our feelings kicking and screaming. But they are paths of goodness and rightness and produce good things in our lives.
A number of years ago, Joy and I went hiking in the mountains of North Carolina. We were doing great until we somehow got off the right path. The path we were on became harder and harder to follow and extremely strenuous. We finally had to admit that we took the wrong path when we wound up in a construction area that was not in any way scenic. But we didn't point fingers or harp on the mistake. We got back on the right path.
What is the right path for you? God's Word is the best place to start. When you discover something from God's Word, which is God's wisdom, you can begin to put it into practice. If you make a misstep, and we all do, get forgiveness and get back on God's path. The psalmist said God's Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. His paths aren't easy, but they are always good.
PRAYER
Lord, please show me and lead me to the right paths for my life. I purpose to follow You and trust You will never lead me into the ways of darkness.