guard and shun...

Proverbs 2:8: for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
When your eyes are on God and His ways, His truth will lead you. It will protect you and keep you safe as you continue down the road He has set out for you long before you were born. There is no need to worry or fear for His ways are upright and His angels and His strength and presence are overshadowing the way of that which you are to travel which is the protection He promises to give.

Proverbs 3:7: Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil...
What an interesting verse! When one looks at this verse their eyes are immediately drawn to the word shun. The first two parts are fairly normal to everyday tellings. And even the word shun is a heard enough statement. However, when thought about what does shun really mean? When looked up the word shun means: to keep away from (a place, person, object, etc.), from motives of dislike, caution, etc.; take pains to avoid.
….What a concept…so then we must think of what’s evil? And that is anything that is not of God! So whether it be a place (even some where that is quite enjoyable, with many memories, or relaxing), a person you may be the closest with or have many memories with, or something that you hold dear or etc, whether it be any one of these, if it distracts you or is contrary or displeasing and disrupting to God than you must shun it…meaning also take pains to avoid! I find this very interesting cause this is often not the case. Often times when we say yes to a more intimate relationships with God and He calls us deeper, He will also ask us to leave things behind because they are not pleasing to Him and to what and where He has called us too. This hurts because we don’t understand why…we have become attached and comforted by that certain group or place or possession. However, we are to take up our cross and if Jesus Christ despised the shame…then how much more are we too at the same time? This question, this verse really takes the relevance to count the cost before taking up the cross. Are you willing to take the pains to avoid something that will hinder or get in the way of you fearing the Lord and being wise in your own eyes? For the joys of knowing the One set before you?

Written November 12, 2009