Through a combination of different things from earlier in the week, I found myself pondering the words of Proverbs 14:12 (which is repeated in Proverbs 16:25). The verse reads: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
In the compact format of a proverb, it seems that the Holy Spirit packed meaning and insight into life. The start of the verse reminds me of how easy it is for me to think that I have come up with a great plan of attack for different things in front of me. I can see a way of how things should be approached, so therefore, since I can see it, it must be the right way. But is that always true? Maybe, I should change that question to “Is that true occasionally?” As the verse points out, what seems right to me can end in the way of death. If we are not careful, we might conclude that means we are doomed to never getting anything right. I do not believe that is the point of the proverb. I think the point of the verse is to remind us of our need for God. Or to use words that form a thematic thread for the book of Proverbs, the fear of the Lord.
Without a connection with God through the Lord Jesus out of which I love, worship, serve, and submit to God (those verbs unpack part of what is involved in fearing God), I will be setting myself up for a rough ride. Jesus offers us life and leads us on paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. In following Jesus, I am exiting from a road that leads to death and instead, I merge onto the road of life. When I go from me striving to see what is right and instead submit to what the Lord Jesus tells me is right, our journey and our path are changed. That does not mean life will be a cakewalk, but what it does mean is we will be heading toward life. When I submit to Jesus as my Lord, allowing Him to set the direction of the compass of my life, I will travel a much sweeter path that brings the refreshing waters of His love. As we travel the rest of this week, please ponder with me Proverbs 14:12 and the invitation Jesus is offering us to follow Him.