Weekly Devotional 31st of October, 2025
by Bruce Billington
Weekly Devotional 31st of October, 2025
In this session, we will continue to look at Proverbs Chapter Four.
Proverbs 4:18-19 – “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.”
Note in Verse 18 that the description of righteousness is given as the light of dawn. This is when the light first appears and then grows much brighter, unlike the light in the latter part of the day when it begins to fade.
Of this light, Matthew Henry says,
It shines more and more, not like the light of a meteor, which soon disappears, or that of a candle, which burns dim and burns down, but like that of the rising sun, which goes forward shining, mounts upward shining.
The wicked stumble in the darkness, unaware of what they are stumbling over. Many today see no link between their wickedness and the struggles they face, nor why their ways seem to draw them further into darkness.
As each young person steps out into the world, they must decide what they are going to pursue. Before them – and always in front of them and us – are the choices of the way of wisdom versus the way of wickedness; the road of righteousness versus the road of rebellion; the path of prudence, prosperity, and peace versus the path of perversity, peril, and punishment. Are we going to walk in a way that reflects a commitment to follow the way of the Lord, or will we walk in a way of selfishness that leads us into slavery and sin? (POSB).
Sin leads to death—not only spiritual death but often physical death as well (Romans 5:12, 6:23; James 1:15). This can result from accidents caused by drinking or drugs, a sin-related illness, or the stress of living a sinful, guilt-ridden life. We all have seen people who look far older than their years because of a hard life of sin.
Although it presents its own challenges, the path of the righteous remains a safe way, and those who follow it are in the light (Verse 18; John 1:4–5; 8:12; Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:7). They willingly serve their Lord and others. The light that guides their journey grows brighter and brighter, like the sun rising on a new day.
At this point, we should turn to the New Covenant, where wisdom personified is Christ. Wisdom in Christ becomes the path we should follow. We must be careful not to fall in with sin and sinners. Our teacher here shows us the right paths (Verse 11) and warns us of the wrong paths into which we may be drawn.
Christ is our way, and He is the light. The word of God guides us, and He is a light to our feet and a lamp to our paths (Psalm 119:105). It shines before others, and they see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
In conclusion, we see that a wise person walking in the way of the Lord watches for problems ahead and prepares to face them, while a fool enters a dark path that seems reasonable at first but can only lead to death.
As the sun rises in our lives, we should ask ourselves some tough questions. Am I becoming more like Christ? Do I have more of His Spirit within me? Am I growing in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ?
May God bless you.