When The World Came To Be

Proverbs 8:23-29 – I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Genesis 1:7 – So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so.

Application:

• ·         Wisdom was already there when God began to create the world.
• ·         “In the beginning” was a deliberate echo to link God’s action in behalf of the world through Jesus Christ with His first work, the creation of the world. The Jews, however, used the word “logos” to refer to the “word” of God by which He created the world and governs it and to refer to the law of God that He gave the Israelites to be their life. Of the law the rabbis said that it was “created before the world”, that it “lay on God’s bosom while God sat on the throne of glory”, that it was divine, that it was God’s “firstborn” through whom He “created the heaven and the earth”, that it is “light” and “life” for the world and that it “is truth”.
• ·         “And it was so” was the only possible outcome, whether stated or implied, to God’s “Let there be”.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Prosperity

Proverbs 8:18-21 – With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

Proverbs 3:1-2 – My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

Job 28:18 – Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

Psalm 5:8 – Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies—make your way straight before me.

Psalm 1:6 – For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Application:

• ·         Normally the righteous are prosperous and happy, but sometimes it is the wicked who are strong and prosperous, temporary though that may be.
• ·         The “wife of noble character” is valued who fears the Lord and is therefore wise.
• ·         The psalmist prays that God will so direct him that his enemies will have no grounds for malicious accusations.
• ·         May the way down which you lead me be straight, level and smooth, free from obstacles and temptations.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

I Love

Proverbs 8:15-17 – By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

1 Samuel 2:30 – “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.

John 14:21,23 – Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”… Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Matthew 7:7 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Proverbs 4:6 – Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

Proverbs 2:1-5 – My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Application:

• ·         Spiritual privileges bring responsibilities and obligations; they are not to be treated as irrevocable rights.
• ·         Love for Christ and keeping His commands cannot be separated. The love of the Father cannot be separated from that of the Son.
• ·         Love and obedience are linked.
• ·         Persistent prayer is emphasized.
• ·         To love wisdom is to prosper; to hate wisdom is to “love death”.
• ·         “Knowledge of God” involves having a personal relationship with God and knowing what He is teaching.
• ·         Wisdom enables one to face trials with “pure joy”. Wisdom is not just acquired information but practical insight with spiritual implications.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Counsel And Sound Judgment...Insight...Power

Proverbs 8:14 – Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

Proverbs 21:22 – One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

Romans 16:25-27 – Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Isaiah 11:2-4 – The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.

Application:

• ·         Spiritual weapons ‘have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
• ·         “To…God be glory” is the ultimate purpose of all things.
• ·         The Messiah, like David, was be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit endowed him with the wisdom to undertake wise purposes and with the power to carry them out.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Who Have Found Knowledge

Proverbs 8:7-13 – My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 2:1-5 – My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Job 28:18,28 – Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies…And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

Genesis 22:12 – “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

Exodus 20:20 – Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Proverbs 16:6 – Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

Application:

• ·         “Knowledge of God” involves having a personal relationship with God and knowing what He is teaching.
• ·         The value of a “wife of noble character”, who fears the Lord and is therefore wise.
• ·         Abraham’s “faith was made complete by what he did”.
• ·         Do not think that God’s display of His majesty is intended simply to fill you with abject fear. He has come to enter into covenant with you as your heavenly King.
• ·         “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”.
• ·         When His people repent of sin and bring their lives into accord with His will, God forgives and withdraws His judgment. Thus it can be said that love and faithfulness, in a manner of speaking, atone for sin, i.e., they turn away God’s wrath against it.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Mankind

Proverbs 8:1-6,30-31 – Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right…Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

Proverbs 1:20-22 – Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Application:

• ·         As a young man confronts life in its social context, two voices lure him, appeal for his allegiance and seek to shape his life: (1) the voice of wisdom and (2) the voice of folly. Thus in the midst of life the youth must learn to exercise discretion.
• ·         Humans, made in the image of God, represented the climax of creation.
• ·         What people allow to occupy their minds will sooner or later determine their speech and action.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Today I Fulfilled My Vows

Proverbs 7:13-18 – She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

Leviticus 7:16 – “‘If, however, their offering is the result of a vow or is a freewill offering, the sacrifice shall be eaten on the day they offer it, but anything left over may be eaten on the next day.

1 Samuel 1:21 – When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.”

Proverbs 9:17 – “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”

Application:

• ·         A vow was a solemn promise to offer a gift to God in response to a divine deliverance or blessing.
• ·         Making vows to God was a common feature of Old Testament piety, usually involving thanks offerings and praise.
• ·         The banquet prepared by Lady Folly seems poorer than the wine and meat of wisdom.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Tablet Of Your Heart

Proverbs 6:35-7:3 – He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is. My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Song Of Songs 8:7 – Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

Proverbs 2:1-5 – My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Jeremiah 31:33 – This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Application:

• ·         “Many waters” were words that suggest not only the ocean depths but also the primeval waters that the people of the ancient Near East regarded as a permanent threat to the world.
• ·         “Store up…within you” just as the psalmist hid God’s word in his heart to avoid sin.
• ·         “Write it on their hearts” so that it effectively governs their lives, in contrast to the ineffectiveness of merely presenting it in writing, though inscribed on durable stone.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Heart That Devises Wicked Schemes

Proverbs 6:16-19 – There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Proverbs 1:30-31 – Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

Genesis 6:5 – The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.

Zechariah 8:16-17 – These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.

Psalm 5:9 – Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.

Application:

• ·         To refuse wisdom’s “advice” is to suffer the consequences of one’s own foolish “schemes”.
• ·         Because human nature remained unchanged, things were no better after the flood.
• ·         There are seven things the Lord hates, three of which relate directly: “a lying tongue”, “a heart that devises wicked schemes” and a false witness who pours out lies”.
• ·         Perhaps appeals to God against those who maliciously wield the tongue are frequent in the Psalms because only in God’s courtroom can a person experience redress for such attacks.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Plots Evil

Proverbs 6:9-14 – How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart—he always stirs up conflict.

Psalm 35:19 – Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.

Micah 2:1 – Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.

Proverbs 10:12 – Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

Application:

• ·         “Winks…with his eye” to make insinuations.
• ·         The rich, oppressing classes continued to get rich at the expense of the poor because they controlled the power structures of their society.
• ·         “Love Covers Over All Wrongs” means it promotes forgiveness.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Fast

Proverbs 5:22-6:8 – The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly. My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion—and give your neighbor no rest! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

Numbers 32:23 – “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

Proverbs 1:30-31 – Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

Proverbs 10:4 – Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Application:

• ·         The bargain was struck, but not without strong warnings if they failed to live up to their word.
• ·         To refuse wisdom’s “advice” is to suffer the consequences of one’s own foolish “schemes”.
• ·         Many proverbs praise diligence and the profit it brings, and they condemn laziness as a cause of hunger and poverty.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Gall

Proverbs 5:3-10 – For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it. Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.

Deuteronomy 29:18 – Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.

Proverbs 2:16-18 – Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.

Application:

• ·         “Root…that produces such bitter poison” was the poison of idolatry, involving the rejection of the Lord.
• ·         “Her house is a highway to the grave”. A life of immorality leads to the destruction and death of all who are involved. The deceased are in the grave, “the chambers of death”.
• ·         Anyone other than one’s wife was to be considered off limits, like a foreigner who worshiped another god.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Smoother Than Oil

Proverbs 4:26-5:4 – Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.

Joshua 1:7 – “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Proverbs 2:16-17 – Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.

Psalm 5:9 – Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.

Application:

• ·         Success was not guaranteed unconditionally.
• ·         Anyone other than one’s wife was to be considered off limits, like a foreigner who worshiped another god.
• ·         Perhaps appeals to God against those who maliciously wield the tongue are frequent in the Psalms because only in God’s courtroom can a person experience redress for such attacks.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Corrupt Talk

Proverbs 4:24-25 – Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Job 31:1 – “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.

Application:

• ·         Christians not only stop saying unwholesome things; they also begin to say things that will help build others up.
• ·         “Look straight ahead”, not at “worthless things”.
• ·         To “look lustfully at a young woman” is to sin.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Everything You Do Flows From It

Proverbs 4:21-23 – Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 2:1-5 – My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Mark 7:20 – He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them.

Application:

• ·         If we store up good things in our hearts, our words and actions will be good.
• ·         “Store up…within you” just as the psalmist hid God’s word in his heart to avoid sin.
• ·         Fellowship with God is not interrupted by unclean hands or food but by sin.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Deep Darkness

Proverbs 4:19-22 – But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.

Proverbs 2:12-15 – Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

Deuteronomy 32:35 – It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”

Psalm 4:7 – Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

Application:

• ·         People love darkness instead of light.
• ·         Avenging is God’s prerogative, not ours.
• ·         “Heart” is in Biblical language for the center of the human spirit, from which spring emotions, thoughts, motivations, courage and action—“everything you do flows from it”.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Day

Proverbs 4:18 – The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Job 22:28 – What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.

Matthew 5:14 – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

John 8:12 – When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Application:

• ·         The godly have all the guidance and protection they need and are able to lead others to righteousness.
• ·         “Light will shine on your ways” through obedience to the word of God.
• ·         Although Jesus Himself fulfilled the mission of the Lord’s servant to be “a light for the Gentiles”, He expected His followers to carry on the work.
• ·         As Jesus’ followers reflect the light that comes from Him, they too are “the light of the world”.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Violence

Proverbs 4:17 – They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

Proverbs 1:11-16 – If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood.

Habakkuk 1:2 – How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?

Application:

• ·         Their goal is personal enrichment by theft or oppression, even if they have to commit murder.
• ·         The book of Proverbs teaches that wisdom brings the greatest riches people could ever gain.
• ·         At the time of Habakkuk, Judah was probably under King Jehoiakim, who was ambitious, cruel and corrupt.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Cannot Rest Until They Do Evil

Proverbs 4:15-16 – Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

Psalm 36:4 – Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.

Micah 7:3 – Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire—they all conspire together.

Micah 2:1 – Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.

Application:

• ·         The wicked do not meditate on God’s law “day and night”.
• ·         Power often corrupts.
• ·         The rich, oppressing classes continued to get rich at the expense of the poor because they controlled the power structures of their society.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Path Of The Wicked

Proverbs 4:12-14 – When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

Isaiah 40:30-31 – Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Psalm 1:1-2 – Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Proverbs 2:18 – Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.

Application:

• ·         The human weakness of those who hope in the Lord will be exchanged for God’s strength.
• ·         “Walk in step with the wicked” means order one’s life according to the deliberations and advice of the wicked. “Sinners” are those for whom wickedness is habitual—a way of life. “Mockers” are those who ridicule God and defiantly reject His law.
• ·         A life of immorality leads to the destruction and death of all who are involved.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Straight Paths

Proverbs 4:11 – I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

Psalm 5:8 – Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies—make your way straight before me.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Psalm 23:2-3 – He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Application:

• ·         The psalmist prays that God will so direct him that his enemies will have no grounds for their malicious accusations.
• ·         He will remove the obstacles from your pathway and bring you to your appointed goal.
• ·         As a shepherd leads his sheep in paths that offer safety and well-being, so David’s Shepherd-King guides him in ways that cause him to be secure and prosperous. It is possible that “right paths” intentionally bears a double meaning, namely, that it also refers to paths that conform the psalmist’s life to God’s moral will.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV