Where you see the word 'but' at the beginning of a verse, you'll also most likely see its 'contrast' in the earlier verse (or verses). Notice the word ‘but’ in Proverbs 4:18. Now, compare Proverbs 4:14-17 with this verse, and you'll see the contrast between ‘the way of the world’ and ‘the way of the righteousness of God’. As a believer, you are definitely on Proverbs 4:18's side, because you are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
So, in the above context, this verse actually says 'even though the world gets gloomier and gloomier, but the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter'. Picture it this way: At the beginning of dawn, and the sun begins to come out more and more, increasingly bright till the full light of the day. You see? Increasing, not diminishing! The Bible says that's what your life should be!
So, in the above context, this verse actually says 'even though the world gets gloomier and gloomier, but the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter'. Picture it this way: At the beginning of dawn, and the sun begins to come out more and more, increasingly bright till the full light of the day. You see? Increasing, not diminishing! The Bible says that's what your life should be!
The word ‘shining light’ (in NKJV ‘shining sun’) here is ‘nogahh’ in Hebrew, which means ‘illuminate, glitter, lighten up, cause to shine’. So, the path of the righteous 'illuminates, glitters, lightens up, causes to shine'! Wow! Not only that, the Bible says this path 'illuminates, glitters, lightens up, causes to shine' more and more!
And the word ‘shineth’ in this verse is ‘owr’ in Hebrew, which means ‘break of day, glorious, kindle, set on fire, light up’. This is the same word ‘owr’ as in Isaiah 60:1, that says, ‘Arise and shine ('owr'), for your light has come’! In Hebrew, it means, "Arise and shine, for your 'illumination, brightness' has come!" Isaiah 60:2 (NKJV) then says, ‘For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory ('kabowd', i.e. weight, splendor, glory, honor) will be seen upon you’. See the word 'but' again? See another contrast here? This verse contrasts ‘the gloominess of the world’ and ‘the glory on God’s people’. Read Isaiah 60:3-7 for the details on how His glory is seen upon God's people. The time is now!
Some people in the world may say: "gloomy outlook in the coming year", "likelihood of global recession", etc. However, this is only true as far as they are concerned. This is what they think or say, but this is not what Proverbs 4:18 says, or what Isaiah 60:2 says. You are in the world, but Jesus says 'you are not of the world' (John 17:16). So, you don't have to be affected by whatever 'gloominess' that happens in the world! Because you are of His seed! You are His! You belong to Him! And who is He? Genesis 14:19 says He is the Most High God! And your resources come from Him, not from men. The Bible says His path for you is as the shining light! And this path shineth more and more till the 'full light' comes! And when is that? That's when Jesus Himself comes! Because He is the 'full light'!
So, people of God, even though the 'outlook' of this world seems to get gloomier and gloomier, but you, the righteous (i.e. the people of God) will continue to shine brighter and brighter! Unfortunately, some believers got mixed up on this. They thought when 'gloominess' comes on the world, it also comes on them! This is not what God says!
Also, when His path for you shines brighter and brighter, the 'world' will see this glory ('kabowd') that comes upon you. You know what it means? The 'world' will take notice of the glory of God when they see you, and that's when they'll also know that Jesus is Lord!
So, people of God, even though the 'outlook' of this world seems to get gloomier and gloomier, but you, the righteous (i.e. the people of God) will continue to shine brighter and brighter! Unfortunately, some believers got mixed up on this. They thought when 'gloominess' comes on the world, it also comes on them! This is not what God says!
Also, when His path for you shines brighter and brighter, the 'world' will see this glory ('kabowd') that comes upon you. You know what it means? The 'world' will take notice of the glory of God when they see you, and that's when they'll also know that Jesus is Lord!
Genesis 41:55-57 is a ‘picture’ or 'shadow' of what is happening currently (i.e. likelihood of global recession, uncertainties in many economies, etc). The world then was also going through global economic uncertainties and widespread lack. Interestingly, Pharaoh then said these words: “Go to Joseph, and whatever he says to you, do.” The name 'Joseph' ('Yowceph' in Hebrew) literally means ‘YHWH is adding’ or ‘YHWH adds'. Here is a ‘picture’ of Jesus Christ today. He is the One who 'adds'! He is the One who 'gives'! He is the Giver, and He gives every good thing! When the best of human intellect fails, and with no solution in sight, look to Him. Because He is the solution to your every situation! "Go to Jesus, and whatever He says to you, do."
People of God, this is the time to keep feeding from Him and keep drinking from Him. Keep hearing the Word, and of course, never let Proverbs 4:18 get out of your sight! Write it somewhere! Stick it somewhere! Personalize it for yourself! Take it with you wherever you go! Remember it, no matter what others may say! Believe every word in it! This is God's word for you today! 'Chew' it like you 'chew' your best steak! Taste and see how good He is to you! Proclaim this verse over every area of your life! Declare it over all your loved ones! Instead of surviving, you should be thriving! See your health increasing, not diminishing! See your business increasing, not diminishing! See your family relationships increasing, not diminishing! Also, be it in wisdom, in favor, in anointing, or in all that God has for you - increasing, not diminishing! Just as the 'light' that shines 'brighter and brighter', so are you! Believe and receive, and you'll have it! Amen!
People of God, this is the time to keep feeding from Him and keep drinking from Him. Keep hearing the Word, and of course, never let Proverbs 4:18 get out of your sight! Write it somewhere! Stick it somewhere! Personalize it for yourself! Take it with you wherever you go! Remember it, no matter what others may say! Believe every word in it! This is God's word for you today! 'Chew' it like you 'chew' your best steak! Taste and see how good He is to you! Proclaim this verse over every area of your life! Declare it over all your loved ones! Instead of surviving, you should be thriving! See your health increasing, not diminishing! See your business increasing, not diminishing! See your family relationships increasing, not diminishing! Also, be it in wisdom, in favor, in anointing, or in all that God has for you - increasing, not diminishing! Just as the 'light' that shines 'brighter and brighter', so are you! Believe and receive, and you'll have it! Amen!
