Over the past few weeks, I've been going through The Proverbs in addition to my normal Bible reading. And each time I read the book as a whole, I'm reminded of just how much there is so much to learn from The Book of Proverbs. And I'm planning of writing about it as a whole book another time, but there have been a handful of things from Proverbs 16 in particular that have remained in my thoughts and when things keep circling in my mind, I always find it insightful to unpack what I can learn from that.
The purpose of The Book of Proverbs is clearly written out by King Solomon in Proverbs Chapter 1, but in short, it is a book of wonderful instruction for life. Not the disciplinary kind, but ones that inspire good living. Pieces of wise counsel that lead you to better paths of living and better ways of loving.
(Proverbs 16vs1~2)
“To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.”
In all our hearts, we holds plans and dreams for our lives. It’s in our nature to set goals and have a direction we are working towards. But how often have we longed for something out of selfish greed or found ourselves seeking for things that will satisfy in the moment but hold no lasting value or impact for the Kingdom?
Before we are satisfied in handing our will to the Lord and wholeheartedly trusting that His plan is sovereign, we must open our hearts to let Him in. We have to surrender our motives and begin to accept that when things don’t go according to how we have planned, God is still sovereign, God is still good, and His ways are always higher because His plan is not for now but holds a value of life infinitely greater than the here and now.
(Verse 6)
“Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided”
Hundreds of years before Jesus was even born, yet alone crucified to bear our transgressions, it was prophesied that our sin has been atoned for by the love of God. Remember also that fear, when associated with the Lord is not being afraid, fearing the Lord means to respect, to hold reverence to and to hold above all else.
(Verse 9)
“In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Ahh! Here comes the favourite, well know verse. But how good are we really at letting God take the wheel?
We must learn that the more we press into knowing who we are in Christ, and who God really is to us, as we establish a right, pure and loving relationship with Him, our heart reflects his desires for us and we fall into step with His plan.
In The Psalms, we are also taught that the more we delight in God as our Lord and Saviour and He takes first place in our lives, He gives you the desires of your heart.
(Psalm 37vs4)
“Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This DOES NOT mean that He grants you whatever you want, but that the more you know Him, the more of HIS will for
your life is revealed in your heart and mind and you begin to long for what He wants for you.
However, we do live in a broken world, people have free will to make their own choices and go their own paths. We can’t rely on our instinctual direction which is why we have to intentionally seek the Lord daily. Paul calls it constant prayer…
(1 Thessalonians 5vs16~18)
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
A lifestyle of constant intersession with the Lord is a lifestyle of constantly giving thanks, inviting the Lord to speak into our daily life.
The truth is that there really is NO other way to live. If the one who created us, knows us best and loves us infinitely wants to talk to us, wants to tell us the best path for us, then we should let all else go to listen to his voice.
(Even when that means living in a completely different state of mind to what culture stems on… Living in Peace!)
Back to Proverbs 16
(Proverbs 16vs11)
“Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.”
Honesty doesn’t just lie in the outcome of our choices but within the act of intentionally choosing as well.
Are the thoughts, actions and intentions of our days saturated with honesty and integrity. Do your thoughts and actions highlight the goodness of God? Do your daily choice reflect an honest life? Does your social media feed reflect truth?
(Verse 18)
“Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit; before a fall.”
A well-known saying, but actually a hard and solid Biblical truth! If honesty belongs to the Lord, then pride, or building oneself up more than what is true holds NO value in the kingdom. Earlier on in the chapter in verse 8, we read that it’s more righteous to have less than to delve into pride a self-righteousness. Rather have less and be prudent than seek out more at the forfeit of a righteous heart.
(Verse 8)
Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.”
(Verse 22)
“Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,
but folly brings punishment to fools.”
When I was younger, I though prudent meant being very good with saving and never spending money on things that weren’t completely essential. But being prudent spans far further than finances. Prudency is holding the future with intention and thought when making actions in the now. That may reflect in how you spend your earnings, but it also lies in how you treat people. It lies in how you choose to look after your body. It lies in what you scroll through on your phone. It lies in where you spend your time most.
(Verse 24)
“Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
I think this verse is the most beautiful way to start applying the wise counsel from Proverbs 16 to our lives. And that is with love and kindness.
So much of the pain and strife in life is a reaction to the offence and protective restriction people walk around with each day.
We were made for real, genuine, and honest connection with one another. But before we can love one another, before we can even learn to love ourselves, we have to Love God above all else.
Once He is put into His rightful place in our lives, you can stand back and watch how your heart softens and moulds to be more like His.
When God’s Word permeates through your life, you will overflow with His love, his kindness, his sweetness and your life with reflect the healing power of Jesus.
There’s nothing more powerful than Love. Nothing more powerful than Love from the source of Love flooding your life.
~ X ~
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