So—join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried-and-true paths. It’s the men who walk straight who will settle this land, the women with integrity who will last here. The corrupt will lose their lives; the dishonest will be gone for good. Proverbs 2:20-22 The Message Sometimes our world sells novelty. The media and influencers want us to believe that whatever is new or different is automatically better than what has come before. In fact, there is a such a thirst for something different that “the old ways” are almost always regarded as inferior, or at least boring by comparison. However, the writer of Proverbs reminds us that the path to a successful life is not usually blazed in a radically different way. Instead, it is often found in the “tried-and-true paths.” In other words, follow God’s designs for life. Honor your parents. Love your neighbor. Help the poor. Worship the Lord. Be honest with everyone. None of these things are “new”, or “radical”, or “different”. In fact, previous generations have tried them on for size, and have often found success. To be honest with other people, and to be straight with them: that is the path to success in life. By contrast, lying repeatedly, or engaging in deceptive practices, will get you thrown out of town real quick! It all comes down to “loving your neighbor as yourself”, and “doing unto others as you would have them do to you.” If you want to last, you have to be so honest and honorable in your dealings with people that they will want to keep you around. Proverbs is valuable because it paints the world for us in black and white terms. Do we go for the quick buck? Or do we aim for lasting relationships? There is no doubt which strategy has legs, and will lead to longevity: the tried-and-true path. It is not new, or novel, or unique, but the path of following God’s tried-and-true ways does lead to life, and to success. Prayer Lord of every road, Be with me on my journey through each stage of my life. Guide me, each and every step. Remind me to live up Your calling to a life of integrity, and honesty. May I always play it straight with other people. Remove any deceptiveness from me. Help me to live my life in such a way that I make a lasting and positive impression upon everyone around me. I pray this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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