February 21, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
When we think about highways we are driven to idea that one direction is good and the other is bad, difficult, even destructive. He that keeps his way on the right path preserves his soul or keeps himself from destruction.
Several times in the scriptures we find the soul being “cut off” meaning the life of a person is taken.
Numbers 15:30 But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
When verse 17 of our text speaks of keeping on the highway of the upright is means to walk the good path and walking the good path preserves the soul or maintains life. It does not mean spiritual salvation. It just means you will live longer if you walk rightly and stay out of trouble.
Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
However, the proud will believe that they can do what they want, when they want, and how they want, and be ok regardless of biblical law or consequences.
Numbers 15:31 Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
The Lord gives us great truth when it comes to walking the right way.
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
There are two ways to travel, two choices in life. The narrow way and the broad way. The broad way is the way of the world and the narrow way is of the Lord, it is called the Christian way, the believer’s way and the born-agin way. It is a way of peace and a way of truth. Jesus is that way.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
There is another way, it is the way that is against God, it is the way of Cain which is false religion, the way of Balaam which is religious compromise with the world and the way of Core which is self righteousness.
Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Humility chooses the right way and pride chooses the other. What’s your choice?
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
