Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
The Shining Path:
The promise given to us here is sandwiched in between a warning against taking the broad, well traveled path of the ungodly (Prov 4:14-15, 19). In contrast to the path of darkness, there is a shining path of the just, leading to the “perfect day” where there will be no more night (Rev. 22:5).
The light that keeps the pathway shining is given to us of the Lord (Psa 119:105; 27:1, 11). The dark is frightening to many people – whether we drive on a dark highway or walk along a dark path. There are perils and dangers that are not seen in the dark and just as this is the case in the physical, so it is in the spiritual. The soul that walks without Christ is in spiritual danger (1 Jn 1:7). Jesus said He is the light of the world (Jn 8:12) and if we walk in His light we will not stumble spiritually.
According to this Proverb, the longer we walk in the light of God’s word, the brighter grows our pathway. Therefore, it is very important that we keep in His word and to His word, because this is one light in this dark world (Prov 6:23).
All the paths of the Lord:
David says that all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to those who keep God’s testimonies (Psalm 25:10). Solomon says that if we acknowledge God is our ways He will direct our paths (Prov 3:6). Acknowledge means to know, learn to know; perceive or discern; so to acknowledge carries the idea of seeing God’s hand in our ways or to seek and understand He is directing our pathway (Prov 16:9; Psa 37:23). All these paths experience His mercy and confirm His truth, if we obey His word and keep His covenant of grace and believe His promises. They are paths leading to life everlasting (Psa 16:11). The ways of God’s true wisdom are paths of pleasantness and peace even though they may at times seem strange and dark and even at times dangerous.
In the 23rd Psalm, David testifies of God’s paths for us (Psa 23:3) – these paths may be in green pastures or beside still waters or even in the valley of the shadow of death, but God’s mercy and goodness will follow us and eventually take us to the house of the Lord forever.
Discerning the path:
If we have trouble discerning the right path, we can pray and ask God for direction and He will direct us through His word (Psa 119:35; Psa 27:11; Matt. 7:13-14; Prov 4:26-27; 8:20).