Don’t look down! Whenever a guide says those three words you can rest assured you are not walking on an ordinary path. It is to your advantage and safety that you keep your eyes focused on what’s before you and not what’s beneath you. Your target destination is your aim and your safe arrival is found in keeping the goal in view.

This week as we take up the subject From Ears to Feet, we hear the author of these chapters in Proverbs telling us to not look down. We are journeying to the City of God and dangers are all along the way.

Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Proverbs 4:25

While there are numerous lessons to be gleaned from our study we’ll only have the luxury to consider a few.

Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Proverbs 4:26

First, we are on a journey. We are not to be stagnant and resigned to stay where we are. Our religious experience should be growing and deepening as we walk this pathway to the City of God.

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalms 92:12

It is not enough to say we no longer do the bad that we used to do. Our goal is Christlikeness, and that will take continuous effort on our part.

But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18

Second, contained within the wise instruction of our study this week is a promise of God’s illuminating light as we go forward. We don’t walk in darkness. We don’t live in confusion. We don’t operate in doubt. There is certainty in our steps and a calming confidence in the God who leads us.

Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

Third, our journey along this path is movement with purpose. No better representation of this truth could be given than the example of the ant. With a singleness of purpose they go about their day. No actions are wasted, no tasks are irrelevant to their mission. Each ant plays a part and although roles may be different, each ant’s activities leads to the overall success of the hive.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Fourth, there are real dangers along the way. Many have started out on this journey only to discover that it was not as they imagined. When expectations met reality, they shrank from the life of self-sacrifice that the path demands. Christ repeatedly warned us of this danger.

The good news is that the pathway is marked brightly for our advancement. Let our determination be the same as that of the Apostle Paul who wrote these words to the church at Philippi:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Here are a few Hit the Mark questions for this week’s lesson discussion:

• What does the word “wisdom” mean to you?
• Is it true that you can determine if you are on the correct path in life by the success (social, financial, career) or lack of success you have? Why yes or no?
• How can one tell if they are on the right path in life?
• Jesus says in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” What does it mean to hear Jesus’ voice and to follow him?
• Is church membership and regular attendance a good indicator that I am on the correct path in life? Why yes or no?
• Is the following statement True, Mostly True, Somewhat True or Not True: Since it is said that sanctification is the work of a lifetime, I should not be alarmed if I don’t see much spiritual progress in my life presently. Explain your answer.

We close this week by using the famous words written by Solomon’s father. A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:1-4

Until next week, let’s all continue to Hit the Mark in Sabbath School!

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