The way of the LORD
is a stronghold to the upright,
but ruin to the workers of iniquity.

Proverbs 10:29

Upright can mean integrity of mind, completeness or fullness. All of these are impossible without a pursuit of absolute truth! It does not mean perfection for us humans. We can’t do that while still trapped in these earthly bodies and minds. The key word is pursuit. What are we running after? Or, as in this verse, what are we working for?

Some people work for iniquity. I guess it is more accurate to say, there are many workers of iniquity. We were just recently victims of a gasoline scam! Gasoline! Seemingly an employee within a chain we regularly use and the only way it could’ve happened is with an inside job and had to be a very complex operation. I am not perfect…I am not sinless. But, I wonder what a more wonderful world we would all enjoy if those people who work so hard at scamming other people would use all that intelligence and all that time and all that pursuit for good rather than for iniquity!

Every human ever created has pursued iniquity, including me. And every one of us is promised ruin. That is The Truth! But, God! In His mercy and grace sent Jesus, His One and only Son to take the ruin instead of us…instead of me…instead of you! In Jesus, we are seen as upright before God! Hallelujah! And we have a stronghold as we live in the Way of the LORD!

I absolutely love this aspect of my relationship with God through His Son, Jesus! God is my stronghold! This means a place of safety, refuge, protection, a harbor, fortress, fort, or rock. 

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

Psalm 31:3-4

For You are my rock and my fortress; for Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me. You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. 

Nahum 1:7

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and he knows those who take refuge in Him.

Isaiah 25:4

For you have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, for the breath of the ruthless is like a rain storm against a wall.

On a day like today, we felt helpless, vulnerable and exposed because of this intrusive scam worked out on us. But our emotions, though real in their own way, are NOT the truth. The Truth is that nothing can harm us or scam us that God does not allow. And when it is allowed by God, He will give us the wisdom and the truth and the stronghold we need to not just thrive through a difficulty, but to thrive! Not man’s way of thriving…but God’s way!

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So, do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33-34