Life’s Landmarks

Life is full of opportunities to take the easy way.

Temptations are detours from the landmarks that should guide us. Even though we live in a world that considers values to be fluid, subject to change with circumstances or popular opinion, we know we can count on certain absolutes. We all have a sense of right and wrong. Some of us have a lot of practice ignoring that sense, but it’s there. And we need to do whatever we can to rely on the landmarks.

If you had parents who instilled good values in you, you have a great foundation. If not, you still know people of integrity who can serve as examples. In either case, we all have access to God’s Word, which is the basis for the absolutes we believe and the values we are to live by. These absolutes and values don’t change. They aren’t a matter of popular opinion. They don’t apply to some situations and not to others. They aren’t negotiable. We can always count on them to keep us headed in the right direction—even when a more expedient or convenient shortcut tempts us.

His Promises

Hear the instruction of your father,

And do not forsake the law of your mother.

Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.