Navigation System
Opening Prayer
Lord, You are true and I want You. I want nothing false. Teach me to walk in truth and wisdom.
Read Proverbs 16:1-33
[1] To humans belong the plans of the heart, 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. [3] Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. [4] The LORD works out everything to its proper end- 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. [6] Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; 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. [8] Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. [9] In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. [10] The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice. [11] Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making. [12] Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. [13] Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. [14] A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. [15] When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. [16] How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! [17] The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. [18] Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. [19] Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. [20] Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. [21] The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. [22] Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. [23] The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. [24] Gracious words are a honeycomb, 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. [26] The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. [27] A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. [28] A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. [29] A violent person entices their neighbor 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. [31] Gray hair is a crown of splendor; 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. [33] The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How are the proverbs here speaking to your everyday life?There are two extremes when it comes to obtaining guidance. One is to suppose that it is all up to us, so why pray about it? The other is to leave it all to God, sit back, and do nothing. A healthy corrective to both extremes is offered here.It is true that “to fail to plan is to plan to fail.” Accordingly, we are encouraged to have and make our plans (1,3,9). We do well to seek the counsel of others, especially the wise and discerning (16,20-23). For alone we can take directions that are disastrous (25), perhaps because we were too proud to seek advice (18) or were involved in some shady dealing (11). When we commit our plans to the Lord (3), trusting in his forgiveness for our many failings (6), we may encounter surprising results, such as enemies becoming friends (7) and being known in “high places” for our integrity (13). The God who directs the “chance happenings” of life (33) is well able to work out “everything to its proper end” (4). That includes the details of our lives today. He is the ultimate “navigation system.”
Apply
Consider how you make important decisions. Do you seek the Lord and wise counsel, or do you move on your own?
Closing prayer
Father God, I place all that I am into Your hands and trust You to lead me in right paths as I seek You.
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