My Dad worked for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for nearly fifty years. He was responsible for maintaining over 200 miles of railroad tracks. Part of the tracks ran from the docks of the harbor to a steel mill that was the largest manufacturer of pipe in America. Although the distance from the harbor to the steel mill was only a few miles, the tracks formed an intricate system of switches and tracks that had to be carefully laid out and spaced for the engines, coal cars and steel cars to pass each other safely.

One evening when he returned from work, he was visibly shaken. He sat quietly and said nothing. All of the family knew that something serious had happened and we knew not to ask questions. When he was ready to talk, he would tell us the story.

Finally he said, “We had a terrible accident in Elyria today. The men who worked there did not prepare the bed properly for the tracks and they gave way today. The engine fell over on its side and killed the engineer.” Someone failed to take the time to build the bed strong enough for the trains to pass safely. That engineer did not have to die and leave his family. Someone failed and it cost the engineer his life.

“The highway of the upright avoids evil, he who guards his way guards his life,” wrote Solomon. The word “highway” refers to a raised roadway that is carefully groomed and maintained. Those who value their walk with the Lord will avoid evil and guard every step.

Prayer:  Father, make us sensitive to the attraction of evil and the importance of guarding each step we take. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.

One of the most influential teachers in my life was “Gunny Smith.” I met him one beautiful, sunny fall evening in Newport, RI. He stood as straight and rigid as the flag pole beside him. As new Navy Chaplains, we had no idea about what to expect. But, one look at his crisp uniform, brightly shined shoes, short hair and steady gaze left no doubt in our minds that what we expected didn’t matter. Our lives were in his hands. He knew it. We would soon believe it.

With an obvious confidence in his voice, he said, “Gentlemen, I will soon become the most loved and feared person you will ever meet.” He lived up to that statement. He was responsible to teach us how to live as officers in the Navy and how to survive in combat if necessary. He took his responsibilities seriously.

Solomon took his responsibilities as a father seriously, too. He warned his son to “continually bind God’s laws around his heart, tie them around his neck... so when you walk, they will guide you, when you sleep they will watch over you, and when you awake they will speak to you.” In other words, wherever he was, no matter the circumstances, whether night or day, “His law” would be a lamp and a light always, and, when necessary, correct and discipline him.

“Gunny” and Solomon knew and accepted their responsibilities whole heartedly. They were well aware of the fact that lives depended on their effectiveness to shape the conduct and attitude of the “untrained.” 

Prayer:  We pray, Father, that parents will not fail You in their duty to train “Your” children to obey You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 6:23 For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light,and correction and instruction are the way to life,

“It is time for You to act, Lord, Your law is being broken.” That sounds like something we would hear while walking out of church or part of a conversation we were having with a friend about the “signs of the times.”
“It is time for You to act, Lord.” Not me, Lord! YOU!

This is really amusing. Here we find this Psalmist who has been writing to us about the Lord’s faithfulness, the Lord’s grace, the Lord’s mercy, the Lord’s goodness, the Lord’s protection, the Lord’s righteousness, the Lord’s justice...and the list goes on and on.

Suddenly, he becomes aware of things that are going on around him that are wrong. Suddenly, he is awakened to things that are not in agreement with God’s laws and he is bothered. Suddenly, he wants God to do something to make things right.

Why God and not him? Does he want to sit in a big, comfortable easy chair and cheer the Lord on? “Go get ‘em, God! Make them pay for the wrongs they’ve done! I’m all for You straightening this mess out. In fact, why did You let things get like this in the first place? I’d like to help You, Lord, but don’t count on me. It’s Your world, Lord, clean it up. I’m over here thanking You for all of my many blessings! Go, God. Go!”

Unfortunately, the words of the Psalmist sound like words that come from the mouths of many Christians. We expect God to do the work that He has entrusted us to do. “Go,” Jesus said to His disciples, “and make disciples.” We are to do what He told us to do! We are the ones to act. 

Prayer: Forgive us, Lord, for refusing to do our part in doing what You have called us to do. May we begin now! In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:126 It is time for you to act, Lord; your law is being broken.