June 30, 2011
Proverbs 16:1 - "People may make plans in their minds but only the LORD can make them come true." Proverbs 16:9 - "the LORD decides what they will do." It is God who has the final say. He knows our hearts. When our actions, thoughts, and motives are pleasing to God we receive blessings and peace from God in return. When our actions, thoughts, and motives are filled with greed, pride, anger, or revenge, we receive the consequences of our actions: discipline, anxiety, and destruction.
He knows what it is "we" have planned. He may let us go down the path that leads to our destruction for a long ways and let us "think" we are in control of our plans and lives, but a day of reckoning will come. When people haven't been stopped they tend to think they are getting by with their actions. God knows; God sees; and God will have the final say.
Proverbs 16:2 - "You may believe you are doing right, but the LORD will judge your reasons."
The choice is clear:
Proverbs 16:3 - "Depend on the LORD in whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:1 - "People may make plans in their minds but only the LORD can make them come true." Proverbs 16:9 - "the LORD decides what they will do." It is God who has the final say. He knows our hearts. When our actions, thoughts, and motives are pleasing to God we receive blessings and peace from God in return. When our actions, thoughts, and motives are filled with greed, pride, anger, or revenge, we receive the consequences of our actions: discipline, anxiety, and destruction.
He knows what it is "we" have planned. He may let us go down the path that leads to our destruction for a long ways and let us "think" we are in control of our plans and lives, but a day of reckoning will come. When people haven't been stopped they tend to think they are getting by with their actions. God knows; God sees; and God will have the final say.
Proverbs 16:2 - "You may believe you are doing right, but the LORD will judge your reasons."
The choice is clear:
Proverbs 16:3 - "Depend on the LORD in whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
—OR—
Proverbs 16:4-5 - "The LORD makes everything go as he pleases. He has even prepared a day of disaster for evil people. The LORD hates those who are proud. They will surely be punished."
"Pride (the need to be in charge; being master of your "own" life) will destroy a person; a proud attitude leads to ruin." The NIV says it this way in Proverbs 16:16 - "Pride goes before destruction." We don't "own" our lives. God will decide what He allows and when He will act.
It is better:
- to be poor and right than wealthy and dishonest (Verse 8)
- to get wisdom than gold (Verse 16)
- to choose understanding rather than silver (Verse 16)
- to be humble (Verse 19)
- to be with those who suffer than to share stolen property with the proud (Verse 19)
Useless and cruel people:
- make evil plans (Verse 27)
- cause troubles (Verse 28)
- trick their neighbors (Verse 29)
- winks, yet plans evil (Verse 30)
- grins, yet is planning something wrong (Verse 30)
It is better:
- to have patience than strength (Verse 32)
Patience comes from taking your hands off and waiting on the LORD. Strength is trying to muscle your own way and be in control yourself. God is in control. Proverbs 16:33 - "People may throw lots to make a decision but the answer comes from the LORD!" We put our hope, faith, and trust in the LORD.
Proverbs 16:25 - "Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death." Exactly the same as Proverbs 14:12.
It is useless to just "think." A day of accountability will happen. There will be justice. God's justice will be done. God cannot be fooled. You may believe the lies of Satan and fool yourself, but God cannot be fooled and justice will prevail.
Next Entry: Proverbs 17
Next Entry: Proverbs 17
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