Proverbs Devotion - Day 5

Much of the reading in Proverbs 5 has to do with a warning against the sin of adultery specifically, and sexual immorality in general. It serves as a reminder of the desperate need that we all have for God’s grace as our fallen nature is so easily led into the ensnarement of sin. This reality is why we must be ever watchful and on guard. We cannot ever let our guard down to the reality of temptation in life because the moment we do, we find ourselves in sin and reaping its consequences.

Solomon is instructing his son of the perils of seeking satisfaction outside of the established covenant that God has provided in marriage. The antidote to this wandering and searching is given in verse 15 where he says, “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well.” Essentially, he is telling his son to pursue his wife. Be satisfied by what the Lord has created and designed and gifted to be enjoyed. That is where true satisfaction is found. That is where there is safety and life. In the Lord and His provision.

The chapter ends with a statement that is meant to evoke both comfort as well as sober consideration. “For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.” There is nothing that escapes the eye of God. He sees our thoughts, our desires, our motives, and our actions. Yet, his watchfulness does not persist in mere observance but in ponderance. The Lord “ponders” all that he sees. In a manner similar to how we consider and examine what we see, the Lord examines and judges all that he sees. There is nothing about our existence that is a matter of passing concern for the Lord because He considers all things with earnest intent. The language of this phrase in Hebrew is meant to communicate that God continuously ponders so there is not a chance that he will overlook anything that is ever done.

For the sinner, this is something that should evoke fear and repentance. Nothing that is done in secret, such as the sin of adultery, is truly secret. God knows all and sees all and ponders all. Al things are under the judgment of the great Judge. Yet, this is also good news for those who are faithful servants of the Lord. None of the things that we do in his service will ever truly go unnoticed. God sees it all and we will have our eternal reward in Christ.

Consider a few questions today from this chapter. Where do you believe that you are mist susceptible to the smooth yet bitter temptations of the world? How can you be on guard against those temptations? Finally, how does the realization that God constantly sees and ponders every path that you take impact your daily life? Does it impact your daily life? Let us today, and every day, be putting to death sin and walking in the ways of righteousness.