These three verses provide an appropriate conclusion to this chapter. Those hanging out with Wisdom will find themselves “walking in the ways of good men” and “keeping to the paths of the righteous” (:20).
Pretty good company! And the phrases seem to suggest a one-day-at-a-time process of simply 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 people. Happily, at that point, many guys really buy into the process and God begins to change their lives.
Verse 21 mentions more good people – “the upright” and “the blameless.” They have settled and stabled lives “in the land” of blessings. And they can “remain” there – a permanent and desirable 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 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 and I make it one day at a time!