Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.”
If you read Proverbs 4 you find Solomon speaking to his son about the various paths he can take and that he wants him to choose to take the path of righteousness and avoid the paths of wickedness. I like to call the middle part of Proverbs 4 God’s Highway Advisory. Notice Proverbs 4:10-16. “Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in the right paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life. (Now God’s Highway Advisory) 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.”
As we move to our verse, Solomon wants to illustrate how the righteous walk is so much better than the unrighteous walk. Having already said “Your steps will not be hindered, and you will not stumble” he continues that thought in verse 18. Those choosing the path of righteousness are going to be able to see clearly just as one would see clearer as the sun rises during the morning hours to high noon.
The Christian Standard Bible says, “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
The NIV says, “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
As we live out our Christian life, we are going to face temptations and we have an adversary seeking to devour us. Being able to see the “obstacles” as quickly as possible will help keep us from stumbling. When you are on the path of righteousness you will see past the allure of temptation, seeing the horrible consequences that could come if you yield to the temptation. You can see the coming attack of the devil and hold up the shield of faith to quench his fiery darts.
Pausing to connect this verse to real life: Has there been a time you were walking and did not see an obstacle in your path, and it caused you to trip and fall? It could have happened in your house as it did to me one night. Not wanting to turn on a light that might wake others up I walked blindly toward the kitchen and tripped over a box sitting in the hallway. One of my first thoughts was I should have turned on the light.
Solomon speaks of life being a path, and the one living righteously is going to find that the path is clearer, thus allowing the righteous to avoid the obstacles and enjoy a better life! The path of the wicked, on the other hand, is dark and leads to lots of stumbling and falling. Proverbs 4:19 says, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.” I would hope the comparison should help all of us to choose the paths of righteousness!
Choose today the path of righteousness for a brighter day and a better life!
Continue Strong on the path of righteousness and off the highway of wickedness,
And remember to DATE the Word
Bonus: In the 4th month of the year, April, we are extending a 4 x 4 challenge and encouraging you to read a chapter 4 each day of April. For April 18 we challenge you to read Luke 4.