Day 11: Proverbs 4:13-19

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Once again, we see the power of the Word of God reemphasized. (Are you starting to see a theme here?) The picture is one of clinging to instruction, defending her, doing all in your power to keep her closely to yourself. “She is thy life.” Truly the Word of God is life – are you investing your days in doing all you can to guard it within your heart and mind? Praise God for His Holy Spirit within us who guides us into all truth and brings to our remembrance everything Jesus has said!

In the rest of this passage, two paths are contrasted: the path of the wicked and the path of the just. Of the path of the wicked, little description is given, and little is necessary. The solemn warning, however, is reiterated – just in case you were thinking about being curious about the wicked’s lifestyle:

Enter not…go not…Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Do not even come close to a lifestyle of evil! There is no justification for idle curiosity or even a vague hope to “befriend them and win them to God” as you join them in their activities. Psalm 1 echoes:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

God’s will is plain: don’t even stand in the way of sinners! Instead, be found only in Him. The darkness of the path of the wicked will indeed bring all who walk therein stumbling at that which they know not.

And here, we transition to the second path: the path of the just, the path of a shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day.

What is this shining path?

Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life… (John 14:6).

As we walk in our Lord Himself who is the shining path, He illumines every aspect of our lives. Discovering more of who He is and being drawn nearer to Him day by day, our path is increasingly enlightened until at last we see Him face to face without a veil of flesh in between.

He is the Bright Morning Star and the Sun of Righteousness.

Meditate on this thought today: Jesus Christ as your shining path. Walk forward in Him, and savor the joy of His presence and His light.