Proverbs 10:15-17: Keep. Refuse. Two verbs.

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty. The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin. He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray. Proverbs 10:15-17

Destruction: the ruin of the poor (is) their poverty; as consequence of evil-doing

Labor: wages (as earned by work)

Life: as consisting of earthly felicity combined (often) with spiritual blessedness

Wages: income, revenue

Wicked: criminal, guilty of crime

Keep: guard, to protect, attend to

Instruction: discipline, chastening, correction

Life: of mode of living, or of character

Refuses: forsake, fail to follow: obey advice, instruction, wisdom, reproof

Correction: chastisement

Goes astray: physically—cause to wander about; mentally and morally—cause to err

Keeps Instruction. Refuses Correction. 

Two verbs. Keep. Refuse. Powerful verbs which have lasting consequences. 

Keep. Guard. Protect. Attend to.

Wisdom isn't once acquired then forgotten! Wisdom must be guarded and attended to, as one would maintain a garden or home. You keep watch over it, preserve it, tend to it. That means that wisdom must be a part of our daily lives. We cannot neglect wisdom! 

Refuse. Forsake. Fail to follow. 

The results are what you'd expect—wandering about, lost and getting into trouble. Simple. Refuse wisdom as you find yourself in the middle of trouble. 

Keep. Refuse. Two verbs. Two Choices. Two different consequences. 

Keeping begins when a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). And then the fear of God, creates the desire to continuing keeping! Do not refuse wisdom—KEEP IT! 

Wandering off on my Own

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 43. Here is what I learned.

Send me your light and ·truth [faithfulness] to ·guide [lead] me. Let them ·lead [bring] me to your holy mountain [Zion, the location of the Temple], to ·where you live [your dwelling]. Psalm 43:3 (EXB)

Send your light and your truth. Let them guide me. Let them bring me to your holy mountain and to your dwelling place. Psalm 43:3 (GW)

Guide: a primitive root; to guide; by implication, to transport.

Lately there have been reports of hikers lost because they chose to leave the paths/trails and venture out on their own. Some hikers were found safe, others lost their lives. The paths provide a safe way to navigate through the wilderness. Yet, some think they know better, or want to prove that they are capable of making their own path, or are attracted/distracted by something off the path. 

The same is true in life. God not only has designed a path, but provides the light to direct me as I walk along. He provides guidance and will lead me safely. Yet, I too often am distracted by what is off the path, or I want to take a different path, because I think I know a better way. However, each time I wonder off on my own, I end up struggling, unhappy, dissatisfied at what I found, discouraged at mess I created for myself, and wandering around wondering how to find my way back to the path. 

Thankfully, God never loses sight of me as I wander off on my own. He is waiting to lead me back to His path, as soon I say... “help”. You’d think over time, I’d stop wandering off on my own, realizing that it only leads to trouble. But I’m a slow learner and quick forgetter of what I have learned. Thankfully, God is patient, gracious, and merciful. And no matter how many times I wander off the path and go out on my own, God is waiting and watching ready to lead me back to the path. 

To create a positive day, I need to stay on the path God has laid out for me, and not go wandering off on my own.