Proverbs 1:1-3  The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;

Proverbs 2:9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.

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What is right, just, and fair? 

There is considerable debate in our world these days about truth and whether there is any such thing as truth. There are those who declare there are no absolutes and yet they are absolutely sure of this, absolutely opposed to current gun laws, and absolutely sure that you are wrong and they are right about a great many details. 

One of my favorite teachers is Dr. Jim Denison. He was my Philosophy professor in seminary. He writes a daily cultural commentary from a distinctly Christian perspective called, The Daily Article ([https://bit.ly/3m9ak9q]). If you are not already a subscriber, check it out and learn from one of the wisest men I know. He is a faithful guide in helping us approach the hot-button issues of our day from God’s perspective. 

Navigating the confusing conversations today related to politics, gender, race relations, and what should be, and should not be, taught in our public schools often leaves us feeling overwhelmed. 

The Book of Proverbs, conveniently located next to the Book of Psalms, helps guide us into truth and its proper application. This book teaches us how to know what is right, just, and fair and how to apply what is right, just, and fair to the relationships and decisions of our lives. 

There are paragraphs and verses full of wisdom in this book. There is not a verse or paragraph for everything you and I will face, however. Fortunately, our Father in heaven does not leave us clueless regarding those issues unaddressed in specific detail. Possibly the best-known and most-loved two verses in the whole book are found in 3:5, 6: 

When we come to an issue where we do not have a specific command or instruction from God, we are to trust God to provide the wisdom we need based on his nature, character, and desire for all people everywhere. When we trust him to guide us, when we lean on him for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, when we submit our hearts and minds to him, he makes our paths straight. 

This may sound familiar. Psalm 23 says the same thing, doesn’t it? 

A few days ago, Dave Adamson (@aussiedave on Instagram) wrote about what the Bible words “straight” and “right” paths mean. He asks, “If God is leading us, why does it sometimes seem like we’re going around in circles?” Good question!

He goes on to say, “In the Holy Land, shepherds know they can’t lead their sheep straight down a hill, because the sheep will stagger out of control, fall down and hurt themselves. So shepherds lead their sheep to narrow paths that wind around the hill from top to bottom. It may take longer to get down, but these paths, are less steep, and allow the sheep to travel down the mountain unharmed.”

How many times have you seen life represented with a timeline of some sort? The first point is when you are born. The last point is when you die. Then there are, hopefully, a lot of years between the points. Hear this now: Life is more than a timeline. It is not a point-to-point exercise. 

Growth and development are also often plotted on timelines. Again, straight-line thinking leads us down the wrong path. Right paths shift the perspective time and again so that we can see new truths, appreciate different circumstances, ponder different thoughts, and ponder the same thoughts differently. 

What is right, just, and fair does not change as much as it deepens the more we walk God’s right paths. It leads us higher into new understanding and nuance. 

If you want to know what is right, just, and fair for all people everywhere, know God and know his eternal truth. His perfect love is the standard. His perfect plan is the way. His perfect peace is available to everyone who will acknowledge he is God and they are not.

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I will learn from God what is right, just, and fair for all people everywhere, and I will work to bring this truth to bear on all the issues of our age.

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Our Father, in our standardless world, we need your truth. Teach us your truth. Empower us to live what is true. Empower us to bring your truth to bear on all the issues of our age so that all people everywhere may know how good, loving, and kind you are. Amen.