Proverbs 2:8 “guarding the paths of justice and watching over the ways of the saints”
I left the final children’s home I was placed in at the age of 15, probably around three to four months before my 16th birthday. I was working full time washing dishes in a café, and a friend had found me a one-room basement apartment. When I think back now it was ridiculous really, the whole block was condemned, the tenement next door was all empty and boarded up, and every Sunday I was expected to take the bus for an hour to where the landlord lived and pay the rent in cash. But for me, it was exciting and freedom.
One day I met another boy I had been in a children’s home with and he invited his two older brothers over to my room/apartment. They were probably in their 20’s. They were both recently released from prison. They decided to stay in my room, and they punched and slapped me, smashed some of my stuff, and ate all my food. They kicked the door in so the lock did not work and then they made themselves at home, coming and going to suit themselves. This went on for a couple of weeks. Sometimes I would come home from my work and they would already be in my house. Even when they were not I would be living in fear of them turning up. I went to the police one day, and they told me to come and see them the next time the men were there. That was not a realistic option. I left quite disheartened.
I told a friend at work what was happening and he offered to come round and help – he was quite small (although around 8 years older than me) and I was not sure what he could do. So one night he took me and another boy from our work who was around my age out for the night to the local dog racing. I had never been there before – but this boy owned a greyhound and we watched it race and then we went back to my basement apartment. No one was there that night. But they both said they would come in and wait. An hour or so later looking out the window, we saw the legs of one of the men as he came down the steps to my basement door. My friend answered the door, and there ensued a full-on and frantic fight in which the two men came off seriously worse. The police came and we were all taken to the station where our stories were told. The men were arrested and charged and never came to my house again. And I understood something about the risk and commitment there is when we step in to help others less well off than we are, and who are being exploited. (please understand I am against violence)
KNOWLEDGE
What a powerful image, to think of the resources of heaven being assigned to look after our ways. There is a powerful intensity mixed with a fatherly gentleness sensed in at the heart of this. We are being set up to win, heaven is cooperating with us, which is a ridiculous thing to think. Is grace spilling out in the Old Testament?
As we pay attention to God and his leading, his instructions, and his guidance, we are not left of our own to do the best we can, rather there is a sense of “if you will, then I will” about this short scripture. We are seeking God’s wisdom, we find the knowledge of God, everything he has ever stored up for us is released into our hands. More than this though, His protection runs around us, and his strength guards us everywhere we go, as he God, takes a personal and intimate interest in all our ways.
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?
“Guarding”, in the original language is pronounced “n’suriym”, and has at the heart of its meaning – “secret places”. The English word “guard” appears 167 times in the ESV, and this word comes from many different original words. “n’suriym” is used 63 times in the Old Testament ESV, and is translated into a range of words – keep; keeping; kept; watchtower; watcher; watchman; guard; preserve; observe; besieged; hidden things, and, man the ramparts. “n’suriym” is linked to “nasar” – to be kept secret, protect, be hidden. I think we can understand that this guarding is proactive, intentional, focused, diligent and birthed from a love of purity. What are you guarding with your life today?
WISDOM: When can you look back see your path guarded and when have you perhaps missed a disaster that you will never know about because God intervened for you?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Maximiser – you see the gold in others they don’t see in themselves, and you help them start to see it.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version [would my behaviour in the secret places of my life be focused on helping everyone else receive their rewards, keeping watch over them and their conduct, whilst encouraging the people of God to be all they can be every day]
PRAYER: Father thank you for today. Please help me to be an advocate for justice in every sphere of life, and be willing to be a voice for those who have no voice.
This is so reassuring. Thinking of how God guards our hearts when we let him. I think I need to guard my own wellbeing better so that I don’t run out of steam in the work I do sitting with others in their moments of deep pain, trauma and grief.
Break my heart for what breaks Yours, everything I am for Your Kingdom’s cause…
Thanks for sharing this story. Wisdom, knowledge and understanding is crucial in these extraordinary days.
Amen to that prayer. Love the thought that God takes a personal intimate interest in all our ways.
Thanks Ps Allan. God bless!
Thank you Allan.
I’m so thankful ,that God has always guarded my path and on many occasions saved me from disaster.
He has laid his life down for me So I have hope for a better future,
He’s been my constant guardian and protector
I can’t imagine where I would be today
If not for his love and grace for me
I owe my life to Him 🙏
“ encouraging the people of God to be all they can be every day”, what a stunning way to live ones life. If I’m honest I look back over my life and see the intervening hand of the Lord present, guiding and protecting the whole way. I am so grateful for this and to be called a child of God. Don’t know where I would be with out Jesus.
Thank you Pastor Allan! You’re testimony is powerful, encouraging and inspiring. All glory to the Lord for what he has done in your life, where he has brought you out of and how He’s using you to now be an instrument for His purposes. Powerful!
Hi Pastor Allan, that’s a sad story of your experiences and yet encouraging story of guardianship. God is always faithfully watching over us all.
The knowledge that whether I am aware of it or not, he is watching over me. Experiences that could have led to disastrous outcomes and being spared the heartache by a delay in traffic. At the time seemed like a missed opportunity and looking back seeing God’s protection and providence.
Kindness for those going through unjust situations and who need the support in prayer and provision. He is a faithful God.
guarding the paths of justice and watching over the ways of the saints
The Old Testament is a great example of this verse of God’s relationship with his people . God lead His people , He watched over His people and Protected His people . Even when they lost their way, because of God’s great love for them he persevered to keep them And watch over them.
Now as His people we see time and again His love for us when he makes a way for us. We can look back and know God was in the midst of decisions and protection
Great word Allan
Thank you Pastor Allan for another such meaningful glimpse into your journey .
In looking back over my life particularly when I was living in London at the age of 21 years old & traveling Europe & North Africa over a period of 3 years of all the many instances God would have intervened on my behalf & protected me in my youthful innocence & foolishness. How reassuring it is to know now Father God is ever watching over & out for me as I look to him for wisdom & direction in every intimate part of my life’s pilgrimage. I in turn when I have opportunities to be a voice for social justice or be an encouragement to others I pray that I may help them find purpose & stand up & be a voice against injustice & suffering.
Encouraging Allan. Thank you
There’s always a risk when we step into help those less fortunate, but I reckon the risk is worth God’s reward.
I love your unauthorised version and what an illustration at the start. To live with others in mind.. to focus on their rewards.. encouraging their gold to come forth. It’s what God did wasn’t it.. loving us.
Following on from the last verse the assured verbs of protection continue to demonstrate that the Lord’s protection surrounds us as He continually ‘guards’ ‘watches over’ and ‘preserves’ us.
Comforting thoughts to know!
God is always faithful, His love is unfailing . He watches over us
Hi Allan
I reflect with this sometimes ill be making my way to work and then something tells me go a different way, so I do and then later on that day I find out there was a massive accident there at about the sometime I normally travel.
Things like that has happen a few times.
Another example same-thing I was heading my brothers house and on the way I normally go I get a feeling and a sense I need to go another direction and then on the way back I see a big tree fallen down on the road.
I feel like its God protecting from harms way and I thank him watching over me.
Such a powerful illustration Allan. Thank you !