The Bible Edge
Practical Points to Ponder from Proverbs
Proverbs 5:21
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
Proverbs chapter 5 is perhaps the only chapter of the book that deals with a singular issue which is improper physical relationships outside the bonds of marriage. It is stark in its teachings, sobering in its warnings, and clear in its intent which is …rejoice with the wife of thy youth (vs. 18). This takes work, it takes both working together to maintain the rejoicing state of marriage.
In this chapter, though, a tremendous, gigantic, gargantuan, colossal, huge, statement is made that covers every action of every person in everything. That statement is today’s verse. Consider it for a moment.
In a world wherein individuals crave privacy, there is little privacy. Nowhere is this understood to be true more than online. Individual’s data is being mined and sold to the highest bidder and security breaches are announced on a routine basis. This is nothing new, every person reading this understands the nature of the world wide web and its information gathering potential. But again, consider today’s verse. The Lord is watching the ways of each individual, He is pondering the paths that our hearts, minds, and feet carry us. Amazing.
He is the unseen witness of every transaction. He is the third party in every relationship. His is the one that knows the heart, that hotbed of emotion, desire and want. Just as I Samuel 16:7 states: …for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart so it is even unto today. King David knew this to be true in his day. For he wrote Psalm 139:7-10. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. (That last phrase is a wonderful promise.)
Someone may say, all of those verses are from the Old Testament, what about today? Well, Jesus said: For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. Mark 4:22 So, guard your privacy as best as you can, but always know that nothing is so private that the Lord doesn’t know about it. No wonder Job said, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15 He knew the Lord knows.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
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