I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
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.
Proverbs 4:11-13

This year one of my goals is to read through the Bible in its entirety. I have had this goal for several years now, but somewhere around Chronicles I get off track and never finish. However, a good of mine set up a group for us to talk about what we are reading as we read through the Bible together.

The above passage from Proverbs was a part of today’s reading. It struck me as I was finishing up. Each verse of the three build on the previous.

First, God states He will instruct us in the ways of wisdom and lead on the path. He then tells us our steps will not be hampered, and we will run and not stumble. But this is only possible if we follow the third part. We must guard the instruction, holding it tight to ourselves.

To me, this shows we cannot expect God to show us the way unless there is some effort on our part.

As I continue to study and learn more about God’s will and plan, I want to hold even tighter to the word than ever before. I find myself writing passages down and putting them in places I will see often. I write them in sticky notes at work and out them on my desk to remind me the frustrations I might face are temporary and to endure because the greater reward is heaven not the temporary praise of those here on earth.