Straight Paths

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Wisdom, the book of Provers explains, is often based on simple observations of the world around us. For example, in chapter 6 it says we can observe the ant and gain wisdom. I’ve stated it rather mildly, though. What we actually read is, “Go to the ant, you slacker!” [6:6 HCSB]. Or, “Go to the ant, you sluggard!” [NIV, KJV]. But nature is not only way it says we gain wisdom. In fact, true wisdom only begins with a knowledge of the Holy; “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”  [9:10]. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of the many passages that makes this crystal clear. It calls for more that intellectual acknowledgment of God. In all things we are to trust Him wholeheartedly. The idea here is to walk with the Lord and let His wisdom come to bear as we motor through life.

To “not lean on your own understanding,” makes for straight paths. Matthew Henry commented, “Those that put themselves under a divine guidance shall always have the benefit of it. God will give them that wisdom which is profitable to direct, so that they shall not turn aside into the by-paths of sin, and then will himself so wisely order the event that it shall be … for their good. Those that faithfully follow the pillar of cloud and fire shall find that though it may lead them about it leads them the right way and will bring them to Canaan at last.”

Let’s be honest here. The paths of life often seem winding and bumpy — to us, that is. But with God, the paths are straight and smooth because they take us exactly where He wants us to be. That circuitous path, with all its twists and turns, was perfectly straight in the mind of the Lord. We must acknowledge Him in all of our ways, and let His wisdom come to bear, in order to see that. 

The next time you feel as if you are wandering, remember that if you are trusting in God, He is guiding you on His straight path.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6 [NIV]