As I continued my way through Psalms and Proverbs, Proverbs 4 was a part of my study. This verse below drew me in.
“Ponder the path of your feet,
Then all your ways will be sure.”
~~Proverbs 4:26~~
The Hebrew word for ponder (pālas) is in the imperative (it’s a command, not a suggestion), and it means to roll out flat; prepare (a road); to revolve or weigh out (mentally).
That definition brought to mind the never-ending road work on Freedom Road. (God ahead and moan, I do when I think of that mess–haha.) As I considered that project, I thought back to its origin. There was a concept – make this two lane country road into four lanes. But you know what? Before one scoop of dirt was moved, there was a lot of thinking and planning. Why? So there weren’t things that would slow or thwart the progress of their work.
The word for path (maʿgāl) is used figuratively in this verse to mean “course of action” or “course of life”.
Just like the plans for Freedom road expansion were weighed out before acted upon, we too must weigh out the outcome of a choice before us before we make decisions to act on something.
Where is this path gonna take me?
We must think “forward” and not in the moment. Where is this path gonna take me? Closer to God or further away from Him.
A mere few verses prior to verse 26, several directives were given (vs. 20-21)
Be attentive to God’s words. Be mindful and observant. The dictionary definition of observant is paying strict attention to, being perceptive to, being careful in observing laws, being mindful of. Is that the mindset in which you read God’s word? Are you mindful of God when you get up from the chair where you read God’s Word this morning? Are you mindful of what truth you heard preached last Sunday? Did you hear it and leave it there, or hear it and take it with you to be lived out?
Incline your ear to them. When Jesus left earth, He sent His Spirit to “guide us into all the truth” (John 16:13). Do you quiet yourself enough, do you lean close in enough, to hear His still small voice?
Let them not escape your sight. Keep God’s Word in view, both mentally and spiritually. There are so many things that can steal our focus. God is present with you 24/7, 365. Don’t miss Him!
Keep them in your heart. Treasure them, retain them, memorize them. Allow God’s Word to affect your mind (what you think) your will (what you purpose), your heart (what you love), your understanding (what you perceive).
Whether it be a “course of life” or just a “course of action”, if we use these directives as the plumb line for “weighing out” things out, then we can know that our ways will be stable and secure. God never makes mistakes. He will never lead us wrong.