January 22, 2026
Scripture – “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.”
Proverbs 22:3, 5 NIV
Observation
Wise people recognize potential danger and change course to avoid it. Those who lack understanding—and the wicked—press on anyway. The simple person is naïve, assuming everything will turn out fine. The wicked person is arrogant and greedy, believing that cleverness alone will allow him to navigate any snare or pitfall. In the end, both suffer the consequences.
Application
A client once shared with me, “There are very few surprises in this life.” He is highly intelligent and remarkably successful, and his statement caught me off guard because I had always believed the opposite—that life is full of surprises.
As I reflected on this proverb and on moments in my own life when I was “surprised,” I realized he was right. I thought about several instances over the past few years when I received unwelcome news about a person or an investment. Looking back, it felt like a scene from a detective movie—where the detective retraces his steps and suddenly all the clues become obvious.
That’s exactly what happened. The warning signs were clear. The snares and pitfalls were always there. I simply chose to overlook them because of fear, greed, or arrogance. I shouldn’t have been surprised.
Prayer – Lord, when we abide in you we can see clearly, when we rely on our own cleverness we end up in a pit. Give us hearts to stay close to you and to do your will, not our own, so that we live under your protection.
What are you doing? Do it better 