The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
Summary: Once again Solomon encapsulates the essence of God’s nature in a few words. Those who turn to God find peace and safety. Those who defy God find judgment.
When things look evil, where do you go to make things better?
If your car is banged up, you take it to the body shop. Or, if you are like me, you try to fix it yourself and then take it to the body shop.
If the engine on the car is not working or is making strange noises, it’s the same thing. You try to fix it yourself or you find a mechanic that you can afford.
But where do you go when your heart is wounded?
The way of the world is to wait. “Time heals all wounds” is a saying that has been kicking around the emotional first-aid kits of the battlefield of life for years. Waiting does not heal the wound, but it does allow us time to get used to the pain. Sometimes we choose to live with the dent in the car or the noise in the engine. Sometimes we live with horrific pain in our hearts.
Let’s assume that all of us are living with some pain in our hearts. What do we do? Some of us turn to the Lord and some turn to evil. The evil ones seem to be intent on sharing the pain. It is as if they are saying, “If I have to suffer, so do you.” Causing others to be in pain doesn’t lessen their pain, but it does make them feel less alone in their pain.
Those who turn to the Lord have a different response. They find forgiveness for their offenses against God and instruction on how to forgive others. This is the exact opposite of those who do evil. As they honor God and forgive others, they walk a certain path called “The Way of the Lord.”
As it turns out, the “Way of the Lord” is like a two-edged sword (Revelation 1:16). One edge is a refuge or protection for those who are blameless in Christ. The other edge is the one that ruins those who do evil. It is the edge that brings judgment.
Application: Don’t fight God. Follow him in his ways.
Food for Thought: How can a person know if they are following the “way of the Lord?”
Going to the Lord is the way to peace as well! Thanks Jeff See you later🙏
Thanks, Jim!
05-09-2022, Proverbs 10:29, How can a person know if they are following the “way of the Lord?”
We have a guide, a comforter sent to us By Jesus, The Holy Spirit is with all believers. He will guide us into truth, teach each as we need and is the power behind our recalling God’s truths as we need.
John 16:13, John 14:26
Paul writes that the true sons and daughters of God are led by the Spirit of God who bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Romans 8:14, Romans 8:16,17
We have each been changed from self-centered, to Christ-centered. The Spirit of God is in each believer to shape and guide each of us. We are called to listen and follow. The peace of God will rule our hearts as we live in obedience to His will.
Brother Ron,
You touch on something very personal today. You write, “We have each been changed from self-centered, to Christ-centered.” In principle, I agree. In practice, I struggle. I continually find my attention being drawn back to self. My faults continually remind me that I need to be anchored to the foot of the cross. I look forward to the day when the “self,” that part of me rooted in the flesh, is a distant memory and I can see the Lord continually.
Trust me, we are far worse than we can ever imagine. Remember Paul as He wrote Romans 7:24-25, Oh wretched man am I….. We are all in the same boat struggling to rid ourselves of the old man, and will only be perfected when we are with Christ. I do not believe any of us are capable of fully comprehending the full degree of our sinfulness which our Holy God only reveals to the degree we can withstand.
We are sons and daughters of God, doing all we can to die to self and become alive in Christ and we fail every day.
If anyone claims to be different, they are fooling themselves and need to ask the Lord to reveal the truth to them. Believe me, they will not ask again.
It is our personal knowledge of our weaknesses, as revealed by the Holy Spirit that proves we are christians, growing in Christ, and any who walk with their spiritual heads held high, claiming to have arrived, are in for a rude awakening.
You are doing fine Brother. Keep going as you are!
Thank you, Ron!
I appreciate the encouragement. 🙂
If we are trusting in Him instead of ourselves or other things is one way (Proverbs 3: 5 – 6).
There are specific verses that give us understanding to the will of the Lord for us (1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 16; Ephesians 5: 11 – 20; Romans 12: 1 – 2). God’s word reveals God’s way (2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17).
And of course, we must always remember that Jesus is the way (John 14: 6). If we are pursuing a relationship with Jesus that is a good sign.
Rich
Great verses! Yes, we are blessed. Our God loves us as we love our children, and more. Trusting in that love is a game changer. 🙂
Brother Rich,
Excellent verses! I have provided a link for all of them here.
Thanks Jeff I was just thinking I had to look them up.
You are welcome, Tim! 🙂
I believe you’ll know that you’re following the way of the Lord, of you are right with God. I’m keeping this part simple.
The part that I’m curious about is that it’s not the way of the wicked that brings ruin. It’s the way of the Lord. I always thought, that if the wicked were to get on the way of the Lord that it would prove better, but that’s not what this passage says. The way of the Lord is ruin to those who do evil.
Christ is Savior, yes, but He’s also a stumbling block to some. Is it this same idea?
A –
Yes, as I understand the passage, it would be similar to the “stumbling block” or “stumbling stone.” (1 Corinthians 1:23)
Think of it this way: The “way of the Lord” is to forgive those who seek forgiveness (Luke 5:24), it is also the Lord’s way to judge those who deserve judgment (Revelation 20: 11-13). It is the same Lord.
Now, what if the wicked turn to the “way of the Lord?” Haven’t they repented if they do that? In that case, God’s way is to forgive. If they continue to do wicked things, then they are not on God’s way. Instead, “God’s way” finds them out and passes judgment.
I hope this helps!