Scouting Ahead to Avoid Trouble

By Randy Abell, pastor of Heartland Baptist Church, Ames, IA

Read Proverbs 27.

While I was in the army, I served in an armored cavalry unit. It was our task to locate the enemy. After we found them, we then had to find a way around them so other units could advance with the least resistance. In Proverbs 27, we are told in verse one that if we want our plan to prosper, we need to see what “a day brings forth” or scout ahead and stay away from trouble. The rest of the chapter gives insight into how to do that. 

First, it shares three types of people we are to avoid. In verse two, we’re warned about ourselves. We are told not to brag. In verse three, we’re warned to avoid fools as they will weigh us down. In verse four, we’re warned about watching what we say and how close we let an envious person get. And then we’re told in verse 22 that fools rarely change. 

Second, it tells us to remember who our allies are. In the army, we had to know who was on our side. In verses 5 through 11, we’re encouraged to keep those honest, truth-speaking friends around us. When they rebuke us, we need to understand they are helping us. Verse 17 says a good friend makes his friend better, and verse 18 says that loyalty always pays off. 

We need to pay attention to what we have, or it may go away. Click To Tweet

Third, it highlights five mistakes to avoid. In verse 12, the wise know ahead of time of a fight and finds a way to stay out of it. Verse 13 warns us not to promise too quickly. Verse 14 warns of recommending too fast. In verse 15, we are taught that those people that always critique will wear us out. The last mistake to avoid, according to verses 23 through 27, is to pay attention to what we have, or it may go away. 

Reflective Questions:

1. In what areas of life should I do more scouting ahead to avoid trouble?
2. Who do you have that is a good old friend that will tell you the truth?
3. Which of the five mistakes should I work on making less often?   

Memory verse:

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for friends that help me see life for what it truly is. Help me to “scout ahead” and see what a day may bring forth.

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