The Company We Keep (Proverbs 23:19-21)

Here is another exhortation from Solomon to his son.

"Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way [of the Lord]." Proverbs 23:19, Amplified

We are to constantly direct ours minds to the way of the Lord. In our society we are over sexed and over stimulated. The world around us tends to drown the still small voice.

"Do not associate with winebibbers; be not among them nor among gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags." Proverbs 23:20-21, Amplified

A lot of the problems that we encounter in our lives comes from the company that we keep. Did you realize that if you are standing on a chair in the middle of a crowded room it would be easier for one person to pull you down than for you to pull that person up? It is all about the physics; the one on the ground has gravity on his side. The same can be said for those who walk a spiritual walk. This is not to say that those people are standing on pedestals or are higher than the average person, but we lend ourselves to a higher standard and a higher calling. The ailments of gluttony and drunkeness will eventually seep into your lifestyle (or whatever other vices your friends give themselves to) and destroy you.

Continue with the Lord (Proverbs 23:17-18)

Out of all the things that we should be envious of, the life of the sinner should not be one of them. David, in his Psalms, often commented on how they would always seem to prosper but he would always end the psalm with acknowledgement of how the Lord looks after His children.

"Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long." Proverbs 23:17, Amplified

To envy the sinner is to take a detour from our worship of the Lord. We are instructed to continue in the fear of the Lord, in other words that mindset should never cease in our lives. It is like having a GPS in the car. There is no need for the driver to turn of the path, he only needs to continue on the path set by the device. The Lord is our GPS and there is no need to turn from the path the He has set for us.

"For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward]; and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off." Proverbs 23:18, Amplified

There is a finish line, a goal, for the Christian. As we continue in our reverence and worship of the Lord, we get closer to that goal. The funny thing about that finish line, though, is that even if we discontinue with the Lord we still come closer to the finish line. It's position in our lives does not change. What does and can change in the trophy received at the end of our journey.

Communication (Proverbs 23:15-16)

It has been a little over two weeks since my last entry. I have noticed that my thoughts processes and verbal communications are becoming more and more muddled with worldly influences. Then I came to a revelation last night: I have not been doing my devotions. What a concept!

"My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad, even mine. Yes my heart will rejoice when your lips speak right things." Proverbs 23:15-16, Amplified

How appropriate that after two weeks of little to no communication with the Lord that He would have these be my verses for the day. I love Him so much and desperately want to approach the perfection that He has planned for me with fear and trembling. Everyday is work. Everyday is a struggle. But everyday is made a little easier with encouragement from my Father.