God's way is the way to live. In Proverbs 8:32, God is urging us to keep His ways because those who keep His ways will be blessed. Keeping His ways means walking in His ways in every area of our lives. It is about choosing His ways rather than our ways, even when it contradicts what we desire, like, or want. Jesus taught us a wonderful parable that illustrates the importance of walking in His way. In Luke 15:11-32, there was a father who had two sons. The younger son asked for his inheritance so that he could leave and be independent and do whatever he wanted. The father reluctantly gave his inheritance, knowing that his younger son was choosing the wrong path in life. The younger son set off for a distant country and squandered his wealth in wild living. He ended up losing everything to the point that he became a worker taking care of the pigs and eating their food. When he realized that his father's slaves had a better living than his situation, he decided to return to his father to become one of his slaves, not a son. The younger son realized he offended his father because of his foolish decision. However, the father restored him to be his son.
When we try to live in our own ways apart from God's ways, we become the younger son. We will eventually lose our life and become bitter. God is encouraging us today to keep His ways. The only way to have a fulfilled life is to walk in God's ways. Being blessed by God means that no matter what we face in this life, we will have peace and joy because His presence will be with us. He will take care of us and provide everything that we need.
God is always faithful and good to those who walk in His ways. Let us not allow the luring of materialism and the comfort and entertainment of this world to lead us away from the ways of God. Everything in this world is temporary, but God's way is eternal.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully and meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speaks to you). Am I walking in God's ways right now? If not, what must I do to return to God's ways? What is the importance of walking in God's ways?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, your ways are better than the ways of this world. Would you please help me to choose your ways over my own ways? I need your strength and courage to follow your ways, especially when my heart wants to go the other way. Do not let the ways of this world overcome me. I surrender my life to you. I need you. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.