IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Two Ways

Date: Oct. 8, 2023

Passage

Proverbs 4:10-27 (ESV)

10   Hear, my son, and accept my words,
    that the years of your life may be many.
11   I have taught you the way of wisdom;
    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
12   When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
    and if you run, you will not stumble.
13   Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your life.
14   Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of the evil.
15   Avoid it; do not go on it;
    turn away from it and pass on.
16   For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
    they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
17   For they eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.
18   But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
19   The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know over what they stumble.
20   My son, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
21   Let them not escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
22   For they are life to those who find them,
    and healing to all their flesh.
23   Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.
24   Put away from you crooked speech,
    and put devious talk far from you.
25   Let your eyes look directly forward,
    and your gaze be straight before you.
26   Ponder the path of your feet;
    then all your ways will be sure.
27   Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 4:11

  I have taught you the way of wisdom;
    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

This passage compares and contrasts two ways. The first way is to accept wise instruction and to follow it. When we humbly accept instruction, we will be upright in heart. We will have spirit and strength to run our race by faith. By diligently following the right way, we can guard ourselves from the consequences of sin and wickedness.

We must decide not to follow the way of evil and wickedness. When we are tempted, we must avoid it, turn away from it, and do not go near it. Wickedness controls us so that we cannot sleep unless we satisfy its wicked desires. We become evil and violent. We are no longer ourselves.

To overcome this, we must listen to what is right and keep God’s commands in our hearts. They will bring us life and healing. We must be alert and guard our path to go the right way with a fear of God, holiness, and the courage to do what is right. We must ponder our ways (26) and honestly ask ourselves, what way am I following? Am I seeking God’s way or my own evil desires?

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for showing me the way of life in Jesus. Please help me to follow his teachings and live by faith in him.

One Word: One Word: Follow the right way

Daily Bread

Ezekiel Eats a Scroll

Ezekiel 2:1-3:3

Key Verse: 2:2:8

And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

Read More

Intro Daily