The King James Version of Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Some have used this verse to emphasize the importance of vision in leadership. Without a long-term plan—without a vision—people are doomed to wander aimlessly. Without the Word of God, people are “loose”; that is, they go their own way. They live without restraint. Ultimately, living in such a way will lead to death because to ignore God’s way is to ignore the way of life (Romans 6:23). So what is the remedy to such lethal waywardness?

God has given us the written Word, the Bible. When we fail to read God’s Word and live it out in our lives, we become people “without vision.” When we ignore God’s Word, we begin to live without restraint to our own peril. Conversely, when we heed God’s Word, we are blessed. Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:9–11). God has given us His Word, and He calls us to be faithful to it. In keeping God’s Word, we will find joy in Him.