Hosea 14:9   ⁹ Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

As we spend time trying to improve our lives we learn the right practices to embrace. We understand what we need to do to be successful. If we follow what we know to be right we will succeed but if we choose to go another way we most likely will fail. Each time we decide to do things that are not helpful to our cause we take backward steps  and lose ground.

In the life of faith, God gives us clear directions on which way to go. The Scriptures are the road-map we follow to live the kind of life God intends for us. If we walk in the way the Lord has set for us we will be blessed. But if we choose to go our own way and refuse to listen to the Lord’s counsel we will stumble and fall. We have only ourselves to blame.

The good news is that at any point on the road we can turn around. We can listen to God’s counsel and walk in his ways. It may take effort to get up from the place we have fallen into but God is there to pull us out. We need to ask for his help and remember his teachings. Then we will be on the right track once again.

Lord, help us to turn away from doing those things that do not help us. Lead us on the right path. Amen.