Proverbs 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Here the motive presented is that of the present and immediate happiness in this world which is uniformly to be found in God's service. I. EXPLAIN THE STATEMENT OF THE TEXT. Wisdom is the fear of the Lord, doing the commandments of God, or in other words, religion. It is not merely said that religious ways lead to pleasantness; they are the ways of pleasantness in the abstract. Religion does not merely make people happy, religion is happiness. There is no way in which true wisdom requires us to walk which is not a way of peace; not only is there peace in the end, there is peace by the way. II. CONFIRM THE STATEMENT OF THE TEXT. Remember the character of God. He wills the happiness of His servants now, and not merely by and by (1 Timothy 4:8). Godliness has the "promise of the life that now is." III. ACCOUNT FOR THE STATEMENT OF THE TEXT. Religion in every one of its exercises is happiness. 1. Take it in its most general character — as consisting in the love of God and our neighbour. The atmosphere of love is the atmosphere of heaven. There is more happiness in loving than in being loved. 2. Every one of the "fruits of the Spirit" is an ingredient of happiness — love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. 3. Consider the happiness naturally attendant on the Christian's occupation, the pursuit of everlasting glory. 4. The happiness of a good conscience, and so the consciousness of peace with God. (F. F. Trench, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.WEB: Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. |
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