Wise Up: Proverbs 21
Proverbs 21 (NIV)
1 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.
2 A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 A fortune made by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The wicked crave evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked
and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
will also cry out and not be answered.
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperity and honor.
22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty
and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues
keep themselves from calamity.
24 The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name—
behaves with insolent fury.
25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,
because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous give without sparing.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28 A false witness will perish,
but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29 The wicked put up a bold front,
but the upright give thought to their ways.
30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
that can succeed against the Lord.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
This was a good nugget to
Chew on this morning!
What an awesome security! Our God Reigns!
It is great ,I love it.
A person may think their own ways are right,
but the LORD weighs the heart
Proverbs 21:2
“But the Lord weighs the heart.” Reading this I am reminded that, in Matthew 6, Jesus uses the term hypocrite to describe anyone who performs “good” deeds in public to gain honor among men. He declares that we have already received our reward if we perform for the praise of men. How often have my “good deeds” been nothing more than a performance designed to garner praise from men? How often do I act the part of an honorable man knowing I must hide corruption in my heart? God knows my motives and weighs my heart; this seems a fearful declaration, but there is good news, always good news. God’s gift of the Holy Spirit can empower me to do truly good deeds. To display God’s love through my love rather than gain favor in man’s eyes. To develop motives born out of love for God which give Him glory and bring eternal rewards. Only my Lord can transform me in this way. Only through His power can I acquire an attitude of kindness and humility, a servant’s heart that derives joy from helping others. Yes, God weighs the heart but He also transforms it. We need only ask. Ask!
Lord may I desire a servant’s heart and may your Spirit in me develop motives seeking to honor you. Help me to serve you through serving others. Make my words and deeds bring you glory.
Bill,
Your comments remind me of Romans 12. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
Reading these proverbs and any of God’s word every day helps us with the renewing of our minds. I am thankful we are going through these each day. Thank you Lord for your word. Please cause it to help me transform into the woman you desire me to be and give me the wisdom to not be a quarrelsome wife. I would hate to see Neal living in the desert.
I’m keeping that nugget Bill. God weighs the heart, but He also transforms it. Hallelujah for that!
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
I think this verse is as applicable today as it was when written. That is the beauty of God’s inspired word, we can apply a verse like this to our lives here and now. We may not harvest and store olive oil, but we do need to live frugally and save our money for a rainy day. Not incurring debt is also a way to help us to be able to store up money for a future need.
I pray to God that His Spirit guides me daily in applying wisdom that that he has imparted to me through his Holy Word.
Verse 1. In the Lord’s hand the King’s heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please Him.
What a beautiful picture of the Lord’s loving care and provision for those who belong to Him.
I agree! The vivid imagery in the Word satisfies something so deep in me.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperity and honor.
An excellent rubric for decision-making.
Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
will also cry out and not be answered.
Proverbs 21:13
Times of need will visit all of us. Needs may be financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual; but all will find themselves in need. To be generous with possessions, mercy, compassion, and love is not simply a call to obedience with what God has given us, it also builds reciprocal blessings in our time of need. Blessings given to us from the hand of God either through the generosity of others or directly to our spirit from God’s Spirit in us. This verse is a warning call to rid ourselves of all selfishness. To give care when we see distress, love in the midst of scorn, compassion where there is hurt, and provision when need abounds.
Jesus my Lord, you gave all for me. All, even to the point of death. May I seek and be granted an open hand and an open heart to those in need.