Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals: Tuesday June 3 2025
Proverbs 22:3 (CEV)-When you see trouble coming, don’t be stupid and walk right into it— be smart and hide.
Have you ever noticed how many people often get in trouble for choosing to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong company? I have seen that a lot in my life, and with people I have been blessed to work with over the years.
We see this in the Bible too, of course.
Have you ever noticed where Adam and Eve were when Satan tempted them?
Genesis 3:6-So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Our parents were in the area of the tree that God had told them not to eat from. Of all the places that they could have been, they chose to be around the Tree of Knowledge.
Wrong place, wrong time, wrong company.
When David committed the sins of lust, adultery (possible rape), conspiracy, and murder, have you noticed how the Bible says it all started?
2 Samuel 11:1-4-It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.
The text insinuates that David should have been with his army in the field of battle, but instead he chose to stay behind in Jerusalem.
Wrong place, wrong time.
Again, think about the Apostle Peter.
Mark 14:54-But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
What happened later?
Mark 14:66-72-Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” 70 But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.” 71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” 72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.
Wrong places, wrong time, wrong company.
Putting all of these things together: if we choose to put ourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time and with the wrong people, we can very easily find ourselves getting into trouble.
On the other hand, if we choose to be in the right place at the right time and with the right people, we may avoid a lot of trouble.
If you are tempted with alcohol addiction, what would be a good place to avoid?
Bars.
If you struggle with Internet pornography, what would be a good thing to avoid?
The Internet.
Don’t run toward places where you will be tempted to sin.
Instead of being in the wrong places at the wrong time with the wrong people, choose to be in the right place at the right time with the right people. You know a good place to start my friend?
Surround yourself with Christians!
Acts 2:46-47-So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Hebrews 10:24-25-And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Lord, help me to be wise in recognizing my weaknesses and mindful of my surroundings and company. Please grant me wisdom. I thank You and praise You. Amen.
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