These three verses provide an appropriate conclusion to this chapter. Verse 20 is back to those who listen to and follow after wisdom – which can both help keep us away from bad people (see :12-15; 16-19) as well as hook us up with good people (:20-21).
Walking with “good” and “righteous” people sets us up to live better. “Walk” sounds like a one-day-at-a-time process, just doing the next right thing.
Here at Helping Up Mission, guys often join our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program with no intention of staying the full year. They’re just worn out and often of ill health. But we accept each guy as he is, regardless of what his plans are when he arrives. We simply try to help everyone get and feel better.
So it is no surprise that, if a guy decides to stay a while, he begins to experience some of the benefits of walking with good folks. Happily, at that point, many guys buy into the process and God begins to change their lives.
Verse 21 continues talking about good people – “the upright” and “the blameless.” They continue experiencing God’s blessings, who have now moved on to “live in the land” of blessings and “remain” there – a much more permanent situation.
But the chapter ends (:22) with a contrast to these who are settled down into what God has for them. The “wicked” and “unfaithful” do not have God’s protection or empowerment and they will struggle.
Life is full of choices and day-by-day we chose to live and walk in a right or wrong way. That will lead to the benefits of settling into doing right things or the consequences of doing my own thing. It’s my choice – one day at a time!