Direction

​Those who follow the right path fear the Lord ; 

those who take the wrong path despise him. 

The prudent understand where they are going, 

but fools deceive themselves. 

Fools make fun of guilt, 

but the godly acknowledge it 

and seek reconciliation. 

Backsliders get what they deserve; 

good people receive their reward. 

Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! 

The prudent carefully consider their steps. 

The wise are cautious and avoid danger; 

fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. 

If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; 

if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. 

Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! 

Those who fear the Lord are secure; 

he will be a refuge for their children. 

Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; 

it offers escape from the snares of death. 

Godliness makes a nation great, 

but sin is a disgrace to any people. 

A king rejoices in wise servants 

but is angry with those who disgrace him.

Proverbs 14:2‭, ‬8‭-‬9‭, ‬14‭-‬16‭, ‬22‭-‬23‭, ‬26‭-‬27‭, ‬34‭-‬35 NLT

The Word of God.

Thank you, God.
For some, they will consider these words foolish. Some will see them as religious. Some will find they are convicting, like a sword thrust right into an hidden area of their heart that is a source of guilt and shame. And some will also find these words are convicting, like a surgeon’s scalpel meant to cut out the poison, cast it into the fire, and replace it with healing and restoration. But sadly, some will say they appreciate this Word of God, but they will not draw close to it, they will only let it speak to them about their neighbor’s speck and not let it have any impact upon their own heart and life. 
Yes, we can each read this same Word of God, and we will find that it is alive for us and is like a two edged sword that either offends us or has an effect upon our thoughts, words,  and actions. There is no other choice than those two – as hard as we might try to refuse the truth – either the Word of God is unveiled and powerful to send fresh blood flowing through our hearts, or we have to ask if we are still veiled from knowing the Truth, the Life, the Way – instead still lost, blind, with a cold,  dead heart that needs the redeeming touch of Grace that brings Hope, Faith, and Love.
So knowing this- 

Do we ask Him to forgive us?

Do we ask Him to change us? 

Do we ask Him to make this Word of God come alive in us and guide us along the path today and forevermore? 

Do we seek to live lives where others might see His will being done and His love prong or in our example? 

Lord,  let it be so. Amen.