The Mystery of Our Ways

Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way? Proverbs 20:24

Man's goings therefore being of the Lord, they must often be enveloped in mystery. We go out in the morning not understanding our way; not knowing what an hour may bring forth. Some turn, connected with our happiness or misery for life, meets us before night. Joseph in taking a simple walk to search for his brothers, never anticipated a 20-year separation from his father.

And what ought these cross ways or dark ways teach us? Not constant, trembling anxiety, but daily dependence.

I will bring the blind by a way they know not: I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16).

I dare trust

thy wisdom

thy goodness

thy tenderness

thy faithful care.

Lead me

uphold me

forsake me not.

Keep Thy Heart...

Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life. Prov 4:23
Solomon urges us "to keep" four things: heart, mouth, eyes, feet. First in the list is the heart, because it is the citadel of man, the seat of his dearest treasure, and the guardpost of his life. If the citadel be siezed, the whole town must surrender. If the heart be siezed, the whole man - affections, desires, motives, pursuits - all will be yielded up.

The heart is the vital part of the body. A wound here is instant death. Thus, spiritually as well as naturally, out of the heart are the issues of life. It is the great vital spring of the soul, the fountain of actions, the centre and seat of principle, both of sin and holiness. The natural heart is a fountain of poison. The purified heart is a well of living water.

As is the fountain, so must be the streams. As is the heart, so must be the mouth, the eyes, the feet. Therefore, above all keeping, keep thine heart. Guard the fountain, lest the water be poisoned.