Proverbs Chapter 9: Verses 12-17 (NIV-UK)
Folly is an unruly woman;
she is simple and knows nothing.
She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
‘Let all who are simple come to my house!’
To those who have no sense she says,
‘Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!’
Isaiah Chapter 30: Verses 20 (NIV-UK)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’
I’m easily distracted. These verses from proverbs remind us of the dangers of being distracted. We read that the people passing by on their way into the city were going straight on their way, and folly, described as an unruly woman, was trying to distract them.
Isaiah on the other hand reminds us whose voice we should be listening to. If we set our mind to do what is right and to follow God’s ways, He will never try to put us off, or send us on a detour. He wants us to take the right path. However, if we find ourselves listening to advice or direction that seems to be taking us off the road we have set out on, especially if it seems to be offering an easier way, then we need to check whose voice we are listening to. When we decide to follow God’s direction, He will always set us on the right road, and gives us the Holy Spirit to keep us going on the right way. But if we pay too much attention to what’s going on round about us, or to what everyone else is doing, that’s when we get distracted, and that’s why keeping our focus is so important and why we need to recognise whose voice is catching our attention.
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful that You will always keep me on the right road, as long as I listen and do what You say. Help me to keep focused on Your ways and plans for me, and not get so concerned about what anyone else is doing. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.