Proverbs 5:21-23, New Living Translation

For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,
examining every path he takes.
An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
they are ropes that catch and hold him.
He will die for lack of self-control;
he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

I don't know what lead me to this proverb tonight. The previous 20 verses talk about why a man would want to waste his love on a street whore when he has a wife at home. Unfortunately, I think I often forget that love is a gift and our world has perverted and abused love to become selfish, a weapon, and an addiction. I can't help but think of the story "Redeeming Love" that Francine Rivers wrote about the man who married a prostitute. That story, based on a biblical prophet who did the same thing, is incredibly powerful. The man's struggle with God and relentless pursuit of his wife give us a glimmer of how captivated God is by us and how much He desires the return of His love. Yet, his wife is someone who is held captive by her sins. Just as with the verses I chose above, God doesn't miss a step. Whether it's an adulterous women or a child who lied or a young man of violence or an old gossip -- it's all a great foolishness that ties us down and away from our Hero who desperately wants to save us with His pure unbridled love.

The Message translation of these verses says: Mark well that God doesn't miss a move you make; he's aware of every step you take. The shadow of your sin will overtake you; you'll find yourself stumbling all over yourself in the dark. Death is the reward of an undisciplined life; your foolish decisions trap you in a dead end.

Don't stumble around in the darkness and the storm any long - run into the arms of grace that have been surrounding you the whole time.