The flashlight of this chapter doesn’t let you squirm away.....it shines on motives, attitudes, and the way we carry ourselves when nobody’s clapping.
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (v1)
That’s God reminding us who’s really in control. Leaders may look powerful, but the Lord is the one steering the current. It comforts me to know that no matter what I see in the world, God isn’t wringing His hands.....He’s directing the flow.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes:
but the LORD pondereth the hearts. (v2)
Ouch! I can convince myself all day long that I'm right. I can line up arguments, explain my reasoning, and even make it sound sophisticated. But God sees the why behind it. He knows the motive. He weighs what no one else can see. That makes me pause!
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (v3)
We can’t buy God off with religious motions. He wants obedience, fairness, and truth....not just “look how spiritual I am” gestures. Sometimes the most worshipful thing I can do is treat someone right even if my flesh says otherwise.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop,
than with a brawling woman in a wide house. (v9)
It is better to dwell in the wilderness,
than with a contentious and an angry woman. (v19)
These two verses circle back to the same point, don't they? These verses aren’t just picking on women...they’re painting a picture of what constant conflict does to a home. You can have space, comfort, and all the “stuff,” but if strife lives there, it drains the joy right out of it. Peace in relationships is worth more than any upgrade or possession.
Proverbs is nudging us to remember that creating an atmosphere of gentleness and patience is better than having all the square footage in the world.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. (v13)
God’s heart is tuned to the cries some would rather ignore. If I want Him to hear me, I need to be listening too and not closing my ears because it’s inconvenient.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. (v23)
Do I have any more sticky notes??? How many messes in life could I have avoided if I just… didn’t say it? Words can build bridges or burn them down. Sometimes wisdom is just silence.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. (v31)
That’s a mic-drop ending!
Make plans.
Train.
Be diligent.
But don’t forget Who the outcome rests on. We can do everything “right,” but victory still belongs to God.
Motives matter, peace matters, mercy matters, and at the end of the day, God is still in control. That’s the kind of wisdom I need written across the dashboard of my life!
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