(Proverbs 16:1-33)
1 The plans of the heart belong to a person,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord examines the motives.
3 Commit your works to the Lord,
And your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing,
And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
7 When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He causes even his enemies to make peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.
9 The mind of a person plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
10 A divine verdict is on the lips of the king;
His mouth should not err in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
Because a throne is established on righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And one who speaks right is loved.
14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death;
But a wise person will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil;
One who watches his way protects his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy
Than to divide the spoils with the proud.
20 One who pays attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is one who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
But the discipline of fools is foolishness.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a person,
But its end is the way of death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
27 A worthless person digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.
28 A perverse person spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates close friends.
29 A person of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;
He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord examines the motives.
3 Commit your works to the Lord,
And your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing,
And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
7 When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He causes even his enemies to make peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.
9 The mind of a person plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
10 A divine verdict is on the lips of the king;
His mouth should not err in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
Because a throne is established on righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And one who speaks right is loved.
14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death;
But a wise person will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil;
One who watches his way protects his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy
Than to divide the spoils with the proud.
20 One who pays attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is one who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
But the discipline of fools is foolishness.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a person,
But its end is the way of death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
27 A worthless person digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.
28 A perverse person spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates close friends.
29 A person of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;
He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
I can really get in my own way, either by rushing into a project without enough thought, or by getting stuck in my own head as I try to sort things out on my own. So, in order to be God-led, I need to step aside, then fall in step with the Lord while looking up to Him, to ask questions, and then to eagerly yet patiently wait for His answers! Even if a plan seems really good, there isn't really a guarantee that it will happen, and that's not a bad thing. God might be protecting us from something that we don't know about. And/or, God might have a much better plan for us!
(James 4:15) Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
People generally have plans and desires, even if that is to have no aspirations and do nothing. But what the flesh wants and what we want is not at all reliable. So the questions should be, "What does God want?" "Is this idea within God's will?" Even a king's throne can only be established in righteousness.
(Luke 14:28-30) For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who are watching it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build, and was not able to finish!’
So, not only should we have plans and desires for our lives, it is wise to plan things out! In this chapter, we see quite a few valuable things to keep in mind as we go through life, making decisions, goals and plans. The entire Bible has so many valuable instructions, that we need to continually grow in God's wisdom and knowledge by studying His word daily. And there should be an increasing appetite for His nourishment and strength.
Understand that God created everything with purpose, and has a purpose for each one of us. It is up to each person to decide if we want to live for ourselves, or live for the Lord. Understanding that God wants the best for us, and has given us the instructions necessary, will help us pursue and build what is eternal.
Our motives in everything we say and do should be guided by God's love, as well as His will, which is righteousness. This is also to remain humble in our deep respect for the Lord. The opposite of this is the destruction of pride, arrogance and the love of money. Therefore, make and carry out our plans, all to the Lord's glory, all in His strength and wisdom.
We should not involve ourselves with evil people and evil actions. Continue assessing our lives, and if God reveals to us any sinful behavior, it is to our benefit to confess those, and then continue on in the Lord's mercy and truth, depending on Him and putting Him first, ahead of all things. Our faith and trust in the Lord will be demonstrated by our obedience and in our character. Therefore, we will strive to be just and fair, being peacemakers, being slow to anger and having self-control.
The benefits of doing all these things is pleasing to the Lord, and He will then establish our lives on a solid foundation. Things will work out for good. And we will have better relationships with those around us. So when we walk alongside the Lord in His will, with the desire of accomplishing His plans and desires, in His wisdom, strength and righteousness, He will establish our way.
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