Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

3 June 2024

Reading From Proverbs 4-6

“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
For they cannot rest until they do evil;
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.”

–Proverbs 4:14-17

     Proverbs is filled with such profound wisdom and insight.  This gem advises us to not go the way of those who are doing evil.  I remember my mother telling me as a boy that if everyone was doing something wrong, it didn’t make it right.  We are not only to avoid the path that leads to destruction, we are to “turn from it and go on our way.” 

Don’t go with the flow when the crowd is headed in the wrong direction.  Following God makes us different.  In some cases, people who choose not to serve the Lord think we’re weird.  Much of this has to do with the lifestyle choices that a child of God chooses to make.  So be it!  Let us be more concerned with what Jesus thinks of us than other people.

     It is unfortunately true that many unbelievers not only choose not to follow God, but they intentionally try to make believers stumble.  Some delight when Christians have some sin exposed, especially when the Christian is a leader of any kind.  I believe that our response to this ought to be to pray for those who persecute us and to pray for our brothers and sisters.  None of us are perfect, but we serve a perfect God who loves us no matter what is always there to forgive us, cleanse us, and give us the strength we need to move forward in faith. 

“Lord, thank You for giving Your children the strength we need to resist peer pressure.  I pray that You fortify our resolve to do what is right no matter what.  I also want to intercede for those who choose to not only do what is wrong, but those who entice others to join them in doing so.  I pray that You will touch their hearts with Your love and guide them with Your kindness to repentance.  We love You Lord Jesus.  Amen.”

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you

–Matthew 5:44

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

–Romans 12:14