Proverbs 2:20 “so you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous”
“O Flower of Scotland, when will we see your like again, That fought and died for your wee bit hill and glen…….”
These are the opening lines to the Scottish National anthem. It goes back so many hundreds of years to a battle that was won against the odds – where many men died on both sides, mothers lost their sons, wives their husbands, and children their fathers. It is at its heart a political and historical song.
I think I do love that opening line though, I see past the history to the sentiments that are held up, to the values that are heralded.
I ask myself am I one of those that will stand up against injustice, that will risk all they have to give a voice to those who do not have a voice. Am I to travel through life being a nice person, a good person, not offending, learning the correct new language. That’s ok, of course. But would I not rather be a wild warrior, and fierce advocate for justice, willing to risk the little I have, than simply to stand on the sidelines and cheer others on. Will I go where no one else is willing to go, will I stay so close to God that I will overhear His conversation and like Isaiah [6;8] cry, “here I am God, send me….”
KNOWLEDGE
This verse links back to 2:16 and starts to outline what the actual contents of God’s deliverance look like. You have committed yourself to seek wisdom and insight with all you have, God has promised to deliver you from terror, anguish, calamity, greed, murder, snares, complacency, disaster, evil, perverted speech, immorality, sexual sin, and unfaithfulness. Not only will you be free from all the above, but you will walk through life with goodness and rest and a clear conscience. In the middle of the storm, you will sleep like a baby, knowing God’s promises for your life. God has an ark for you, a place of safety in the storm, where you will travel to the exact point He wants you to, in spite of all that is going on around you.
The New Testament (NLT) puts it like this in Colossians 3:3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
The vanishing point is how I like to think of “being hidden with Christ in God”…..Psalm 103:17 has as “But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children”. The word “everlasting” can be translated as “vanishing point”. As we have this reverence and heart to seek after God, our life and our future are secure with God who comes from the vanishing point and goes to the vanishing point – an eternal God.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word that draws my attention here is “keep”. We could drift past it easily, but it’s a pivotal word in this scripture. In Hebrew, it is pronounced “samar”. It is mentioned 469 times in the Old Testament (ESV). Its translated as, keep; kept; careful; observe; pay attention; take care; performing [what the Lord has charged – Lev 8:35]; guard; watch; preserved; have charge of; bodyguard; besieging; for my sake; secure; close attention; beware; only spare [Job 2:6]; avoided the ways; preserved forever; watchmen; heeds; and, cherish. Wow-what a word!! So for us in this scripture we can pick up on the weight of it, in this one word – we will cling to, be set aside for, and be secure in our walk with God. We are. As it says in Col 3:3 – hidden with Christ, in God.
WISDOM: what does the term “vanishing point” make you consider?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Ideation – when challenging the status quo, help others understand your thinking before you push for change
Allan’s Unauthorised Version [you will tread through a journey, lead by God, experiencing pleasant rest and delight. You will guard yourself and be guarded, journeying through life free from any penalty and with a clear conscience.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me today to stay close to you and to allow you to wrap your loving arms around me and hold me close to your heart.
Good morning – great word! Thanks Allan 🙂
“where you will travel to the exact point He wants you to, in spite of all that is going on around you.” – what a great faith word! Amen
Every verse and the key word that you explain is a marvel to me!
God’s Word and His precious promises are gold indeed as in Ps 19:10-11.
“More to be desired are they than gold, …….And in KEEPING them there is great reward “(NKJV).
AUV sums it all well.
Thank you Ps Allan!
How great is His ways and His faithfulness!
Thank you so much Allan.
Hi Allan. Really love how your unauthorized version paints such a beautiful picture today. Thank you.
“Keep to the path” conjures up a verb, a doing word, something we deliberately do but it so often hard. We need God’s protection, his help, his “wrap around love” to stay where we need to be- close to His heart. Thanks Allan
“hidden with Christ in God”. These words spoke to my heart today. Living out our daily lives with this knowledge is the safest place to live from. I can be fearless and bold when I know I am hidden with Christ in God. Thanks Pastor Allan!
Walk and keep are what stands out to me in this verse. Walking or following in the ways of Jesus’ example, who was the ideal person, the one whom we are striving to be like; and keeping to the paths of the righteous, which is ensuring that we are right with God. It’s in a right relationship through your lifestyle with God. If I can do this a little each day. I’ll be a little more Christ.
In God’s deliverance,we are set free from our past sin and bondages,
We are given hope for a new life ,
To know that Jesus paid the price for us all,so we have a new life in Christ.
It is such a privilege and honour to be” set free and to walk through life in goodness ,rest and a clear conscience”
Trusting God’s promise for your life
Pastor Alan after I read what u wrote, it make me think of what was my life all about, when I reflect and look @ my life and think, how did I get through that storm that went on for some time but I always knew someone was watching over
me and gave me the strength to fight for others @ the same time, like you pastor Alan, I want to fight for the others that don’t have a voice (or no one listens to), you made me think, what’s my calling?🤔( which I know) God Bless
Thanks Pastor Allan!!
I see from this that we cannot be luke warm in seeking wisdom! God’s wisdom as revealed in His Word & in the person of Jesus Christ are so worth going in pursuit of & desiring deeply by our being attentive, dedicated, enthusiastic & passionate in our commitment to God. These brave men dedicated their lives to a cause to protect their country & die if necessary! So too as followers of Christ may our hearts seek to die to our fleshly desires so there is less of us & more of Christ so we can walk out the plans He has for us & align ourselves with people who are involved in social justice & a heart to save the lost. We don’t need to walk in fear for God will protect us as He promises.
Thanks Allan! Great thought today
Once again great insight on this verse, thanks Allan.
If I was to pick a word I would use the KJV translation and say the word ‘mayest’ stands out to me. God is not forcing us down a path, even though we are warned about the outcome of walking “in the ways of darkness” He still gives us the free will and choice to “walk in the way of goodness”. This just highlights God’s grace and love toward us that nothing is forced and we have a choice whether it be life, goodness and righteousness or death, darkness and evil.
Amen, that’s a beautiful prayer.
It’s good to see how the word “keep” is translated with all those meanings. It helps me understand the verse “the Lord bless you and keep you” better.
I also like the Strengths thought.
Thanks Ps Allan, God bless.
Thanks Allan . I’m so glad the lord has charge over my life. Even when I make mistakes and when things don’t go to my plan , God has a better plan and reason for everything in my life. I might see a situation as a mistake I’ve made and the beauty of my God is that He knows my heart and resolves all tings to work for good in the end.
I’m so grateful for God’s promises over my life. His protection and goodness is a banner of love.
In spite of all that is going around us – God has an ark for us.He is Place of safety in the storm, our refuge and our strong tower
Our life and future is secure with God. His promises are yes and Amen
Hidden in Christ, seeking wisdom and insight. Clothes in a robe of righteousness that Jesus gives to me. Standing up for what is good.
Again, thanks Ps Allan
I love that we are in Noah’s ark right now where all the world are tormented and obsessed with worry about what’s happening with the pandemic but we are safe in the arms of God, heading straight to where he is taking us. ThAnks for that point x
Thank you, Pastor Allan for this message. It made me realise how important it is to have the courage to stand up for justice and integrity; to do this without fear since our God is always with us to guide us. I’m still learning and praying for courage and wisdom.
I too love the opening of flower of Scotland been lucky enough to hear it sung at Murray field
This to me is a huge “subject”
That feeling of rest and delight is one for many to find and to embrace
Staying close to god and being open to what he has for us ….it may not be our way but we have to trust his