Food for the Soul - the Benefits of Seeking the Right Path


   This morning my Bible reading plan took me deep into the Proverbs where I have read for the past several days.  There is so much content in the Proverbs that it has been difficult to read and absorb all that it is willing to teach.  However, this morning I was encouraged when I slowed down to take Proverbs 10 – 12 in as daily bread.  God was feeding me, yet I wasn’t able to capture the nutrients unless I took a moment to ponder the lesson.  I could have easily missed the blessing.  The Holy Spirit has a way of reminding us about the importance of God’s Word.  He put this verse in my mind,  “He restores my soul.  He leads me in the path of righteousness for his name sake,” (Psalm 23:3 ESV) which are the words of David, father of Solomon who in turn penned these passages in Proverbs.


     It is so easy to read Proverbs and feel a bit like we are consuming scrabbled eggs as Solomon takes us on a journey of back and forth, up and down between the righteous and the wicked.  It is also easy to get sidetracked with little affirmations where you recognize a person or two whose path is unmistakably taking them in the wrong direction.  Coupled with my reading of Romans chapter 10 today, the heart of the apostle Paul is exposed who writes about his Jewish brothers.  He says, “my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.”  (Romans 10:1).  He doesn't judge, rather he prays.  


     I decided to take out several colored highlighters as I observed and marked the passages found in Proverbs 10-12.  Using various colors I marked the guidance provided on a) how we are to speak, b) how we are to take instructions, c) how we are to act in response to others, (d) how we are to labor, e) what we are to hold in our hearts, and f) how we are to view riches and rewards.  By the time I was done a tapestry emerged.  Suddenly I was drawn to the words 'righteous' and 'righteousness and this is what I uncovered.  Hidden from my view was the content of blessing which I have organized in the chart below by chapter and verse.  




Count
PROVERBS
Chapter and
Verse



Content
1
10:3
The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry.
2
10:6
Blessings are on the head of the righteous.
3
10:7
The memory of the righteous is a blessing.
4
10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.
5
10:16
The wage of the righteous leads to life.
6
10:20
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver.
7
10:21
The lips of the righteous feed many.
8
10:24
The desires of the righteous will be granted.
9
10:25
The  righteous is established forever.
10
10:28
The hope of the righteous brings joy.
11
10:30
The  righteous will never be removed.
12
10:31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom.
13
10:32
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable.
14
11:4
Righteousness delivers from death.
15
11:5
The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight.
16
11:6
The  righteousness of the upright delivers them.
17
11:8
The  righteous is delivered from trouble.
18
11:9
By knowledge the righteous are delivered
19
11:10
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices.
20
11:18
One who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
21
11:19
Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live.
22
11:21
The offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
23
11:23
The desire of the righteous ends only in good.
24
11:28
The  righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
25
11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.
26
11:31
If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
27
12:3
The root of the righteous will never be moved.
28
12:5
The thoughts of the righteous are just.
29
12:7
The house of the righteous will stand.
30
12:10
Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast.
31
12:12
The root of the righteous bears fruit.
32
12:13
The  righteous escapes from trouble.
33
12:21
No ill befalls the righteous.
34
12:26
One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor.
35
12:28
In the path of righteousness is life, and in it’s pathway there is no death.



     Initially I counted thirty-five blessings from the Word of God, but now I recognize that there might be a few more than I failed to notice.  After receiving such a blessing, I felt compelled to share this with you.


     In recent articles I’ve spoken about daily feeding, and that God’s Holy Word is our manna from heaven, the bread of angels.  Now looking over the content of these three chapters (Proverbs 10-12), I find delight when I read, “The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry.  I hope this feeds your soul today as it did mine.

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