Dahlia |
Have you ever had a big decision looming over you? Something that kept you constantly on your knees in prayer seeking wisdom, discernment, and Truth? I love to read Proverbs 16 when I'm in that situation. I don't want to be led by ways that seem pure to me but that may not be. It's comforting to know I can lay down the burden of decisions in prayer and rely on Him to sort out my motives, to align the desires of my heart with His sovereign will. His generosity in giving us wisdom through His Word is truly without limit; praise the Lord!
Proverbs 16:1-9 (NIV)
1 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
and he will establish your plans.
4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end —
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
8 Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.
than much gain with injustice.
but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:16-33 (NIV)
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight rather than silver!
to get insight rather than silver!
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
and gracious words promote instruction.
and gracious words promote instruction.
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,
but folly brings punishment to fools.
but folly brings punishment to fools.
23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
and their lips promote instruction.
and their lips promote instruction.
24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
but in the end it leads to death.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
their hunger drives them on.
27 A scoundrel plots evil,
and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.
and a gossip separates close friends.
29 A violent person entices their neighbor
and leads them down a path that is not good.
and leads them down a path that is not good.
30 Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity;
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
but its every decision is from the Lord.
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