Proverbs 10:6-9 – The Paths of the Lord
It often seems like those who do what is right, who love and serve the Lord, suffer for it. But Solomon here says that the blessings they receive more than make up for it. Not only do the righteous receive blessings here on earth, they receive the blessings of eternal life with Christ and promises of a rich reward for serving Him faithfully. Their memory itself then goes on to be a blessing to others – their family, their neighbours, their friends, their congregation. Contrast this with the wicked man who may seem to have many good things, but doesn’t have what matters most, and when he dies he is either forgotten or remembered mainly for evil that he has done.
If we truly love the Lord Jesus in our hearts, verse 8 tells us that we will accept commands. What commands? God’s. If we love the Lord, we will want to do what He says, we will want to find out what He says by reading the Bible, praying, and worshipping Him. Our hearts will be open to hearing and doing God’s will. But a fool, one who has no time for God, is too busy thinking and talking about himself to listen or do what God says, and as a result, he is walking down the path to his destruction.
A man of integrity is a wise man, a man who is fixed on doing what God says. And his path is secure. It isn’t easy, there may be difficulties or hardships along the way of obeying God, but it is safe. It is a path under God’s protection, full of God’s promises, pleasing to God, and leading to eternal life. How could we choose any other way? But the world doesn’t like it. It wants the easy path, the path that brings them pleasure, no matter how crooked and sinful. And in the end, all the evil that they do will be exposed – laid bare before all. But those who walk in God’s ways will be secure.
Questions
- Where can we find God’s commands?
- Why is God’s path the safe one to be on?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would hide God’s Word in our heart.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.