Scripture Pathways

  “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” — Proverbs 27:20 This proverb sets two things before us that are never full: death and sin. These two are close relatives. Death is never satisfied. The grave receives multitudes daily and still has plenty of room. Hell enlarges itself and still has room. Destruction never says, “Enough.” Sin is the same way. The eyes of man are never satisfied. The carnal mind looks toward profit and pleasure, but it never reaches a place of true rest. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, it wants more. More color, more beauty, more spectacle. The one who loves silver is not satisfied with silver. We strive for things that fill the moment but do not truly satisfy. Often these things leave us more troubled than before. Matthew Henry traces this unrest back to Eden. Our first parents were surrounded with all the trees of Eden, yet they were not satisfied. Their eyes turned toward the forbidden tree. Since then, the he...

In the traditional hymn It Is Well with My Soul , Horatio Spafford writes, “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know, it is well, it is well with my soul.” The phrase, “taught me to know,” prompts us to reflect on a settled truth. Jesus gives that truth in John 16:33 , not promising a trouble-free life but teaching us to be of good cheer because He has overcome. This victory grounds the believer in peace. It is truly well with the soul that belongs to Him. This peace is not the denial of tribulation; it is confidence in Christ while tribulation is present. In 2 Kings 4:26 , the Shunammite woman is asked whether all is well with her and her family. Her answer is, “It is well.” Those words are not spoken because everything around her looks well. They are spoken from a faith that looks Godward. Christ has overcome a world that brings tribulation. He has answered the guilt of sin. He robbed death of its final word. Therefore, “it is well” is not wishful thinking; it is the settled ...