The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
When we do wrong, you could think of it in two categories: willfully doing wrong because we want to do it, or just thinking that what we are doing is OK without stopping to see if it is what the Lord would have us to do. For this second category, there are a number of verses in this chapter (and some in previous chapters). Verse two says that a man's ways are pure in his own eyes. It is amazing how we seem to always think we are right (or is that just me?). However, the Lord weighs the spirit. He knows the very intent of our hearts and sees every motive and innermost thought. Verse four goes on to say that our plans will be established if we commit them to the Lord. In verse nine, we see that our own heart plans our own way, but God is the one who establishes our steps. Verse 25 is the most biting: there are times that we go full force ahead thinking we are right, but the end is death. How can we keep from these dangers if our own way seems right to us? Last week in chapter 15, verse 22, we read, "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." Over and over in Proverbs and elsewhere in Scripture, we are taught to heed the Scriptures, our parents, our church, other wise counsel, seek the Lord in prayer, etc. I must remember this when I am making plans and decisions for my life: don't fall into the trap of just going with what seems right. I must be grounded in the Scriptures, faithfully attending to the preaching of the Word, and seeking counsel from the wise.
ReplyDeleteVerse 24 says, "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." There are some people who spill out compliments and "nice" words all the time. It's easy to think these people are so nice, and sometimes they are. However, a wise pastor once cautioned his church on the danger of believing all the compliments that come to you. I really believe this verse is talking about something else. I believe these gracious words are when you are at the end of yourself and this true friend comes along side you and lifts you with the words of Christ. This is not necessarily a compliment. It is more likely truth from the Word of God. I have some true friends who have given me the proper word in season that was exactly the health that my soul needed.
ReplyDeleteVerse 33 is a rich verse about God's sovereign providence. We can try to toss dice to make a decision thinking it is random, but God chooses what number it lands on every time. My school is called Providence Christian Academy. Each morning, the students have been reading/quoting the Heidelberg Catechism questions 27 & 28 that say:
ReplyDelete27. Q.
What do you understand by the providence of God?
A.
God's providence is
his almighty and ever present power, 1
whereby, as with his hand, he still upholds
heaven and earth and all creatures, 2
and so governs them that
leaf and blade,
rain and drought,
fruitful and barren years,
food and drink,
health and sickness,
riches and poverty, 3
indeed, all things,
come to us not by chance 4
but by his fatherly hand. 5
1.Jer 23:23, 24; Acts 17:24-28.
2.Heb 1:3.
3.Jer 5:24; Acts 14:15-17; Jn 9:3; Prov 22:2.
4.Prov 16:33.
5.Mt 10:29.
28. Q.
What does it benefit us to know
that God has created all things
and still upholds them by his providence?
A.
We can be patient in adversity, 1
thankful in prosperity, 2
and with a view to the future
we can have a firm confidence
in our faithful God and Father
that no creature shall separate us
from his love; 3
for all creatures are so completely in his hand
that without his will
they cannot so much as move. 4
1.Job 1:21, 22; Ps 39:10; Jas 1:3.
2.Deut 8:10; 1 Thess 5:18.
3.Ps 55:22; Rom 5:3-5; 8:38, 39.
4.Job 1:12; 2:6; Prov 21:1; Acts 17:24-28.
It is beautiful and amazing to hear the students read these words written some 500 years ago and think about God's people through the ages trusting so much in His almighty care and hand.