“Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble” (Proverbs 3:23).

Many are the Christians who have claimed this precious promise, for it is as true today as it was the day it was written. The paragraph in which it is found (vv.21–26) contains but one condition: “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion” (v.21). Our Lord is wisdom personified, and if we “keep sound wisdom and discretion,” then we know that “So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck” (v.22).

God promises to lead in many places in Scripture. “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul” (Isaiah 58:11), but He leads us if we only permit Him to do so, we must be willing followers. As we do, He will provide our needs. Consider His abundant provision for 40 years for the people of Israel: “And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat” (Exodus 16:14,15).

God will not forsake us in our earthly stay as long as we follow His way and His commandments. Following our text is the promise: “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet” (v.24). We are assured of His presence even in time of danger. “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh” (v.25). The source of our peace and comfort and supply lies in the fact that “the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken” (v.26). But remember, in “wisdom and discretion,” follow the leader. MRT