Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

1 The preparations of the heart belong to man,

But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,

But the LORD weighs the spirits.

3 Commit your works to the LORD,

And your thoughts will be established.

4 The LORD has made all for Himself,

Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;

Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

6 In mercy and truth

Atonement is provided for iniquity;

And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.

7 When a man’s ways please the LORD,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness,

Than vast revenues without justice.

9 A man’s heart plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps.

10 Divination is on the lips of the king;

His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

11 Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s;

All the weights in the bag are His work.

12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,

For a throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And they love him who speaks what is right.

14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,

But a wise man will appease it.

15 In the light of the king’s face is life,

And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;

He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

18 Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,

Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,

And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,

And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.

But the correction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,

And adds learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death.

26 The person who labors, labors for himself,

For his hungry mouth drives him on.

27 An ungodly man digs up evil,

And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

28 A perverse man sows strife,

And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

29 A violent man entices his neighbor,

And leads him in a way that is not good.

30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;

He purses his lips and brings about evil.

31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,

If it is found in the way of righteousness.

32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,

But its every decision is from the LORD.

My Thoughts:

1. So let’s start with (v. 1) we read “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD”
   1. I like this verse it reminds me all the times in my past were I have laid out these plans to go here or get this and for some reason none of that stuff worked out. But every time I have left my choices up to God they have always worked out, even today I was questioning my choices about things and have I stopped and prayed on the issues everything is much clearer.
   2. For a biblical and much better illustration let’s look at Balaam, the covetous prophet planned to cures Israel and gain the rewards offered by Balak, but when he started to speak the Lord controlled his words (Num. 22-24). When we speak for God it is His words that come out of our mouth (Ex. 4:12; Jer. 1:7; Matt 10:19).
2. In (v. 25) we read “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”
   1. We can achieve an everlasting life through Christ, but many times we as men choose with the assurance that, at least at the time we are doing the proper thing under the circumstances. This is a warning against trusting in anything other than the word of God, when we spend our time reading and trying to understand the text that was given to use, we achieve at least a better understanding of His will.
3. And we will finish today with (v.31) “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness”
   1.    When the aged follow in the ways of righteousness, they are crowned for their achievements. I like what Ellen White saying in her book (Education p. 244)   “And God has especially enjoined tender respect toward the aged. He says, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” Proverbs 16:31. It tells of battles fought, and victories gained; of burdens borne, and temptations resisted. It tells of weary feet nearing their rest, of places soon to be vacant. Help the children to think of this, and they will smooth the path of the aged by their courtesy and respect, and will bring grace and beauty into their young lives as they heed the command to “rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man.” (Leviticus 19:32).

 

Thought of the Day

“Where God’s finger points, His hand will make the way”

When I went to Moody Bible Institute as an 18-year-old, I enrolled in the pastors program. I could picture myself preaching and leading a church just as my home church pastor was doing. Then, after hearing about the five faithful missionaries to the Auca Indians who were tragically killed in Ecuador, I even considered dedicating my life to missions.

But God had a different course laid out for me. Through His clear leading, and in accordance with the gifts He had given me, I became a teacher, editor, and writer.

Most of us have had similar experiences. We think ahead and carefully work out a plan. We picture in our minds with great detail how our future is going to unfold. But things don’t go as planned. Some doors close, while others open. If this happens to you, it may be that God has something completely different in mind.

It’s good to plan and dream and think ahead. But we must always be open to God-appointed changes in direction. “A man’s heart plans his way,” Solomon wrote, “but the Lord directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9).

God will never mislead us. When we trust Him with all our heart, He will direct our paths (Prov. 3:5-6). His way is always best. —David C. Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Should mystery enshroud His plan

And our short sight be dim,

We will not try the whole to scan

But leave each thread to Him. —Murray

Personal Reflection and Discussion

1. What do you think (v. 19) is saying?
2. What other things do you see in the text?

Prayer Activities

1. Call your Partner and discuss this devotional.
2. Continue to have a prayer list and continue to praying for them.
3. Pray with them and ask for the following;
   1. For God to give us the righteous lips that delight Him.
   2. For God to help us to be righteous not ungodly.
   3. For the individuals on your pray list.
4. Let’s use (Mark 4:30-32) for today’s prayer verse.