July 5 - Proverbs 16,17
These two chapters contain some of the same themes we have already seen in the book of Proverbs. That is one good thing about this book. Repetition helps us remember. There is a lot of repetition in Proverbs. However, each day the Lord shows me something new, too. What about you? What did He say to you today?
One important truth in these two chapters is God's sovereignty. We can make plans, but it is the Lord who is ultimately in control of what happens. He allows us some freedom, but He will carry out His plans, not ours. Therefore, we should listen to Him, even when we have made plans. His way is the best. Proverbs 16:4 might be a problem verse for some people, but read it closely. It does not say that God created evil. In effect, it is affirming that even the wicked play a role in God's plan. They show the opposite of God's will, and they show that everyone has a choice to do good or evil. He did not create them to destroy them as some believe, but He did allow them to sin. Without a free will, no one can really love the Lord, because love without an option to refuse His love, is no love at all. However, instead of choosing to sin, we should choose to follow the Lord. We should decide to love Him completely.
We need to hear Proverbs 17:15 loud and clear. In a day when our society teaches a false type of tolerance, we need to be careful not to justify the wicked or condemn the just. Both are abominations to the Lord.
Remember, that a merry heart does good like a medicine. Stop being so sour all the time, it is not healthy for you. Make plans today to laugh. It will do you a lot of good.
Let's plan to practice what these verses say as we live today. Let's seek wisdom, and seek to know God's way. Let's be humble, and know that our way leads to death. Let's know that God knows our hearts, so let's keep our hearts right with Him. Let's be a friend, and lift up those around us. Are you beginning to get the picture of life from this book of Proverbs? It is really pretty simple, but it is so different from the ways of this world.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 18 and 19.
One important truth in these two chapters is God's sovereignty. We can make plans, but it is the Lord who is ultimately in control of what happens. He allows us some freedom, but He will carry out His plans, not ours. Therefore, we should listen to Him, even when we have made plans. His way is the best. Proverbs 16:4 might be a problem verse for some people, but read it closely. It does not say that God created evil. In effect, it is affirming that even the wicked play a role in God's plan. They show the opposite of God's will, and they show that everyone has a choice to do good or evil. He did not create them to destroy them as some believe, but He did allow them to sin. Without a free will, no one can really love the Lord, because love without an option to refuse His love, is no love at all. However, instead of choosing to sin, we should choose to follow the Lord. We should decide to love Him completely.
We need to hear Proverbs 17:15 loud and clear. In a day when our society teaches a false type of tolerance, we need to be careful not to justify the wicked or condemn the just. Both are abominations to the Lord.
Remember, that a merry heart does good like a medicine. Stop being so sour all the time, it is not healthy for you. Make plans today to laugh. It will do you a lot of good.
Let's plan to practice what these verses say as we live today. Let's seek wisdom, and seek to know God's way. Let's be humble, and know that our way leads to death. Let's know that God knows our hearts, so let's keep our hearts right with Him. Let's be a friend, and lift up those around us. Are you beginning to get the picture of life from this book of Proverbs? It is really pretty simple, but it is so different from the ways of this world.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 18 and 19.