Today's Reading: Proverbs 4:10-23

Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 4:8-22, 32-37; Ephesians 5:15-33

I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. (Proverbs 4:11-12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Having a holiday today (for most of us) is nice, but tomorrow we have to go back to the routine. Both church and school are starting to be busy again. Some of you have already been in classes for a few weeks while others have your first day tomorrow. Sunday School, confirmation classes, and church meetings are resuming after a summer break. At some point this month or next, I will be already dreaming about what I want to do next summer. Maybe you are happier being busy, or maybe you are like me and will miss the slower pace of life.

Speaking as a father to a son, God tells us through the author of Proverbs that He guides us in the way of wisdom, describing it as a roadway of righteousness. Proverbs 4:12 reminds us that as we travel with the Lord, no matter whether the days are easy or packed full of work, He watches over us and keeps us from stumbling.

Note that the wicked have it as their goal to make other people stumble (verse 16). Unfortunately for them, because they are outside of Christ's light, they cannot understand that their own sin causes them to stumble (verse 19) until they finally fall into hell.

Even after you have received salvation from Christ, you still could choose to go back to the path of the wicked, but you must not do it (verse 14)! Why would you want to get tangled up in sin again? The way Proverbs 4 describes the wicked person who is obsessed with and controlled by their evil sounds like what Jesus says in John 8:34: "Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin."

However, you are free because the Son of God this very moment releases you from your guilt by the forgiveness He won for you on the Cross. He is the light of the world (John 8:12) who shines upon you to shatter your darkness, brighter and brighter until you get to the Last Day (Proverbs 4:18), when the busy schedules of this world will be done. And you know the way to get to that Day of rest and gladness in the Resurrection, when there will be no more darkness. Jesus is the Way. And the Truth. And the Life. Even though you die, you shall live forever in Him. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord of all creation, give us wisdom in all things, that we may rejoice in all that is good and be defended against all that is evil; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch