Proverbs 10:29

There is a right way to live and a wrong way to live. The right way gets Almighty God’s favor and blessings for prosperity and success. The wrong way, the sinful way of most men, brings destruction, dysfunction, and death. Which way are you living? Examine yourself right now, humble yourself, and choose to live the right way with its blessings.

Deism is heresy, and those who reject the God of providence and revelation are heretics. Jehovah of the Bible intervenes daily in the affairs of all men. The creator God is not watching from a distance, as a foolish songwriter has hallucinated. He actively rewards those who obey Him and severely punishes those who reject and disobey Him (Pr 13:13).

Grasp the proverb. “LORD,” in all capitals, is the name of ancient Israel’s God, Jehovah of the Bible, I AM THAT I AM (Ex 3:14; 6:3). Those who follow God and keep His commandments are the upright in the way of the LORD, and He blesses and prospers their lives with strength. But those who reject Him and His revealed will are called the workers of iniquity, and He has righteously committed to destroy them for their sins.

The great God sees and measures all men in infinite detail (Pr 15:3; Heb 4:12-13). It is a rule of His religion that He rewards those who diligently seek and obey Him (Pr 11:18; Heb 6:10; 11:6; Gen 15:1; Ps 18:20; 58:10-11; Matt 5:10-12; 6:33; Rev 21:3-5). And it is an equal rule that He punishes those who reject Him and His word (Pr 13:13; II Chr 36:16; Ps 73:15-20; Mat 21:40-46; I Cor 11:30; Heb 10:26-31; 12:28-29; Rev 21:8).

God has revealed Himself several ways – the natural creation, His providence in life, the conscience of man, and the written Scriptures. So complete and thorough is Jehovah’s creative display in the heavens and earth that men are without excuse, and He judges them severely for not worshipping Him in truth and righteousness (Ps 19:1-6; Rom 1:18-32). And in like manner, His written Scriptures are to be reverently obeyed, for they reveal His moral will (Deut 29:29; Ps 19:7-11; Is 66:1-2; Matt 5:19-20; II Pet 1:19-21).

God mercifully forgives individual sins, if you repent (Pr 28:13; I Jn 1:9). But workers of iniquity forsake the right way to live in rebellion and sin. There is no mercy for those who set themselves against the Most High. God hates them; their lives will be miserable; they will be destroyed (Pr 11:31; 13:15; Ps 5:5; 11:5; Matt 7:23; Rev 21:8). If they appear to be getting away with sin, just wait a few minutes (Ps 37:34-38; 49:6-14; 92:7).

But God’s gracious eyes are over the righteous: He views their lives with approval and blesses them (II Chr 16:9; I Pet 3:12). When they walk in His way, He provides strength from day to day (Ps 84:5-7; Is 40:31; II Cor 4:16). When they separate from false religion to follow Him only, He receives them as dearly beloved sons and daughters (II Cor 6:14-18). He makes things last, repairs holes in financial bags, restores years lost to folly, and protects in danger (Deut 8:1-9; Hag 2:15-19; Joel 2:25; II Tim 4:17). These are a few of His ways, which are called the providence of God, and it is truer than gravity.

Will you examine your ways today? Do you understand the choice this proverb has put before you? Will you live the right way and be blessed? Or will you choose this world’s way and be destroyed? God will not let you play with Him for long before He closes the door of opportunity (Pr 29:1). Get serious today! Choose to be a noble and virtuous prince (or princess) in the earth by living God’s way for favor with both God and men.