Proverbs 3:23 “then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble”
A friend of mine in Scotland was badly injured as a young man. He was serving in the SAS in Belize and when returning to camp after an exercise in the jungle, he went to the local town for dinner. He was unaware of some recent issues between other soldiers and local men. Walking back to camp he was run over by some men in a Land Rover, who then reversed over him as well. He lay in a dip in the road until the morning light let the camp guards see him.
He was taken into the camp then, and the injuries were so severe that he was left in a bed and expected to die. Two days later when had not died an army specialist back surgeon (who happened to be on holiday on a neighbouring island) was flown in, and he operated. My friends back was cleanly broken and he would never walk unaided again. Both his knees were crushed.
Years later in Scotland when I was planning a mission trip out to Honduras, my friend asked if he could come as he really wanted to get to Belize and offer forgiveness to the men who had done this to him. He came with me to Honduras and suffered really severe hardships getting around with us. He had part of the flesh on his leg rubbed away on one trip when he was tied to the back of a donkey to get through the deep jungle. As he had no feeling he was unaware of the damage.
There are a few adventures from this trip that I will tell later on in my blog. But for now, my friend eventually got to Belize, and is a miracle of provision was invited to tell his story on National Radio. He got word back from the men involved that they had heard his story and received his forgiveness. My friend had such a sense of security about him in the middle of life experiences that could easily break you. In my view, he walked through life well, secure and never stumbling.
KNOWLEDGE
Again the writer is extolling the benefits of having wisdom and discretion from verse 21. Here we pick up the certainty of God’s involvement in our every day life. At the time this was written there would have been places that were dangerous to travel through – but that at times it would have been essential to travel through. Perhaps not just physical places, but areas of commerce, or relationships, or even health.
We are instructed to never lose sight of wisdom, the wisdom that founded the earth – so again the scriptures are pointing us to the need for a daily, ongoing, deep, intimate, fully engaged relationship with Jesus the Messiah, the living Word. This is our guarantee that we can walk through every situation securely – we are not promised ease, comfort, or that nothing bad will ever happen.
We are however given security, that as we live our life trusting Jesus, that he has our lives held in a safe place. He is our helper, our protection, our source, our friend, our King, our saviour, our guide, our model for servanthood, our comforter, our peace, our provider, the one who sees us, and our peace. As we stay connected to him (John 14) we will see the fullness of life in every situation, we will see his protection, his provision, and his promises.
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 for “stumble” in the Hebrew language is pronounced, “nagap”. It is found 49 times in the Old Testament. When translated into English [ESV} the following words are used. Plague; strike; defeated; routed; struck, beaten, stumble; and, afflicts. In verse twenty-three the sense is that we will not be defeated on our journey and that we will be free from any plague.
WISDOM: What is your moment by moment relationship with Jesus like?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Input asks the best questions at the best moment, bringing the best insights to situations. Take care not to load your own expectations onto others though.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [you will travel along your chosen path in life with confidence and security, the sole of your foot will avoid taking you anywhere that you could stumble or be hurt.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me, and remind me, to have a grateful heart for all you have saved me from. Thank you!
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Allan
Wow. I have traveled this same journey. I wanted to forgive the individual who have caused my injuries (a local gang leader) but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Word was then passed to me that he was no longer a gang leader but was now a youth leader at a church. I then realised it wad time to change my attitude.
Love the story of your SAS friend and the forgiveness extended, but also what it cost him. Often times it’s what something costs that causes one to stumble and I must admit to being in bewilderment when pride causes someone to extend something such as forgiveness, difficult, when we know it is so medicinal, so freeing! Jesus truly laid out a path for us that can make a life of fullness reality, but we must first choose to walk that path freely. That’s wisdom right there! Your friend chose well and I for one am encouraged.
Thank you for sharing your amazing experiences to paint us the picture. I am grateful that I can walk walk with him each day and pour out my joy as well as heartaches.
Great story Allan
”a grateful heart for all you have saved me from.” This indeed I do have. I can testify to this being nothing but the truth.
I went through a vally season 12 months ago, where I spent 37 days in hospital. This holiday in hospital as I like to call it was no walk in the park and apparently a journey of excruciating pain. I however laugh today as I woke up 25 days into the holiday having thought I’d been on a real holiday in Brazil and having no recollection of what had just taken place in past 35 days (minus one moment arguing with my sister to give my phone back 😂) all this to say, I believe this to be the kindness and faithfulness of God. His hand of protection shielding me on the darkest of days. We, his children, walk through the fire unscathed and funnily enough strengthened, having been grown by the trial. And we can stand and testify ”he has our lives held in a safe place”.
Thank you Pastor Allan. Your friend is a true hero! Great reward in Heaven for this man.
What a message of hope for humanity. So many of us carry these Hurt, bitter events in our hearts and forgiveness is the only answer to be free of the affliction in our soul. It sets us free and is a testimony of the grace of God in our life. If we decide to hold onto unforgiveness It will destroy us ,not the person we are bitter with.
Moment by moment I feel the need to speak to Jesus because moment by moment I have to keep my heart in check. Our thoughts often destroy our faith and ability to forgive right ,so if I am constantly giving glory to God for what he can do I take the pressure of me to get it all right and instead keep putting people or situations at his feet . What a relief that is to live surrendering to Christ
Thank you Pastor Allan for today’s message. Forgiveness is freedom not so much for others but more so for ourself. Jesus on the cross says forgive them father for they know not what they do. Your friend clearly knows the power of forgiveness. Over the years I have struggled with the idea of forgiving, but being born again makes forgiveness so much easier. I am grateful for God’s grace each day that life with Him is so much more.
Thank you Pastor Allan for another inspirational story!! What a beautiful heart your friend has towards God & being obedient to His ways!
This emphasizes the need for me to ask God to search my heart & thoughts on a daily basis & see if there is any wicked way in me & lead me into the way everlasting. Jesus is the only way possible for me to know true peace love comfort provision & everything I need for my Christian journey knowing I will always be safe & secure even in the darkest moments I may have to walk through. Making Jesus my intimate companion is the wisest decision I will ever make always having a grateful heart for His goodness & grace towards me.
Wow what a powerful story about your friend, what a testimony. I look forward to hearing more.
what is your moment by moment relationship with Jesus like. Beautiful thought.
Wow! What a powerful story of your friend about forgiveness .
Thank you so much Pastor Allan for sharing🙏
My moment by moment relationship with Jesus is to face each day knowing that God’s got his hand on my life .
Surrendering every area of my life to Him,
To keep my eyes fixed on him ,and to trust him as his word promises that when we are obedient to Him
He will take care of us ,he will redirect our path and protect us ,when disaster strikes he is there with me on the journey
He will not abandon me but walk with me .
So today I completely trust my God in all I do and receive his protection provision and his promise 🙏
Thank you pastor Allan
Wow what a powerful testimony. Can’t wait to hear more about your friend.
Love this!
what is your moment by moment relationship with Jesus like?
Thank you for your powerful lesson in forgiveness. As we walk through troubles and stress, we know that we are not alone ( Psalm 23 ). Jesus walks with us, in front and by our side.
As Tulele’s glorious voice resonates through the church halls, “when the oceans rise and thunders roar—- I will be still and know you are God”.
Hubby is wondering if the guy is Brian Warrel? Hubby was in Belize during exercise when he was in 2 Para.
Hi Wendy – not Brian W. Blessings – Allan – thanks for all the feedback.
What an amazing story that is, for your friend Allan to go back and forgive the men who grievously harmed him – only someone walking with Jesus, a deeper revelation of who He is can be empowered to do that.