October 16: Proverbs 4:23-27
 
Key Verse: Proverbs 4:25
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
 
Devotion:
Have you ever been told to look straight ahead in order to accomplish a difficult task? I can remember being told to not look down when I was abseiling from a high bridge in Zimbabwe as we were completing task for an outward-bound course. I have always had a fear of looking over a precipice, not so much a fear of heights because I love flying and looking out from tall buildings... but looking over the edge of something where there is no guard rail does my head in!
 
God knows we will not always be able to cope with life and with what the world will throw at us, so He tried to warn us through the prophets and through His word – we need to focus on what is real and not be side-tracked by the world!
 
Our hearts can be deceived by people who pretend to be what we want in our lives. Our mouths let out all manner of strange things when we get upset. Our eyes tend to look at things we should not be looking at because we are tempted. We often choose the wrong things in life because we don't know all the facts or we don't think of others. God wants to keep us safe and keep us sane – but we have to listen to Him in order to get it right!
 
Jesus came and showed us it is possible to rely on God for everything in our lives. He showed us we can depend on Him for everything and He will answer our prayers when we ask. Jesus showed us it is ok to be scared and to fear what we do not know; but placing those situations in God's hands allows us to go forward and accomplish what has to be done!
 
Points to Ponder:
Do you trust God?
 
Will you listen to His instructions?