“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.” —Prov. 22:3
This verse was part of my devotions this morning and brought a unique memory to mind.
Proverbs is a book intended to bring people out of folly to wise action. Many years ago we were seated with a small group in a Denny’s. Next to me was a man we had recently had the privilege of leading to the Lord from a life of folly. The conversation was light and enjoyable until something unexpected broke the mood. This new convert suddenly dived under the table! "What on earth are you doing?" I asked.
"Tell me when those guys that just came in are out of sight," he whispered.
I waited till the group was led to another part of the restaurant. Our new Christian cautiously peeked over the table top, then slowly raised himself back into position. We left soon after this.
This was one of the wisest acts I have ever seen from a baby Christian. "Those guys" were some of his old partners in sin. He wasn't ready to face them; he was afraid he would be drawn back into his old lifestyle. Some might say this was a lost opportunity, but the time would come when he could face them and share his testimony. This day wasn't it.
And the memory of a new believer diving under a table in a restaurant remains etched in my mind as the personification of Proverbs 22:3, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself."
