Verse of the Day 4/16

Verse of the Day 4/16   

Proverbs 4:18-19 The lifestyle of good people

    is like sunlight at dawn
    that keeps getting brighter
    until broad daylight.
¹⁹ The lifestyle of the wicked
    is like total darkness,
    and they will never know
    what makes them stumble. 

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

When I first read today's verses in my devotions several things came to mind.  Reading in the CEV I at first questioned the beginning of verse 18 and the use of "lifestyle".  Others like the ESV below use the word path, but when you step back and think about it they can be the same, especially when taken in context with the verses that follow.  The righteous are those who are in a right relationship with God, a right relationship will be in communication with Him through His Word and prayer, being "attentive" to his words (verse 20).

Most mornings, from late fall to early summer, I will be up before the dawn, in my recliner, looking out the windows overlooking our back porch towards the east.  It will be dark but the sky will turn different shades of gray, to pink and then to bright sunshine.  Even though it begins in darkness I am confident, hopeful and anticipate the coming light.  So it can be in the dark hours of our lives.  God's light will shine through, we have to look for it and we can anticipate it in the promises of His Word.  We don't have to be consumed by our circumstances, His mercies will be renewed.

Another thought that came to mind was that during this pandemic, I have been working from home, "telecommuting".  I joked with a co-worker that it was like scenes from the movie "Ground Hog Day" where every day seems the same.  What is different is that I don't wake up to Sonny and Cher in the morning it is to God's Word and a cup of coffee.  His Word is new every day, as are His mercies.

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;^[a]

    his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.      English Standard Version (ESV)

Even in dark times and troubled days His word is a light and it keeps us from stumbling and will lead us to the brightness of a better day.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

    and a light to my path.    English Standard Version (ESV)

Where does your "lifestyle" your day to day walk along the "path" lead you, to focus on the darkness or to look with hope to a brighter day with new mercies in store?

Read and spend some time in the passage below, let His Word light up your day.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Proverbs 4:18-27 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁸ But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
¹⁹ The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know over what they stumble.

²⁰ My son, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
²¹ Let them not escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
²² For they are life to those who find them,
    and healing to all their^[a] flesh.
²³ Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.
²⁴ Put away from you crooked speech,
    and put devious talk far from you.
²⁵ Let your eyes look directly forward,
    and your gaze be straight before you.
²⁶ Ponder^[b] the path of your feet;
    then all your ways will be sure.
²⁷ Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil.