Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Proverbs 16:1-16 (NIV)
16 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!
What proverbial wisdom recurs from the last chapter?
The theme that You are my guide to living life is continued in Proverbs 16. Lord, I feel like I have been on an uphill journey and my energy is almost spent. I am at a point where the future is not clear, and some of the forks in the road can bring great distress. I am a planner and prefer to prepare for the future, but right now I don’t know what to plan for and situations are totally out of control. I know that You are sovereign over all my plans. Although You give me the freedom to make plans, Your plans relate to my destination. Help me align my plans with Your purposes. Allow my vision and my plans to be led by the Spirit. Strengthen my relationship with You so that I have a keen awareness of Your presence. Help me to learn to walk in humility and kindness and to recognize that my plans will only succeed if it is Your will and to be open for what You have in store for me. Give me the confidence that You are leading me and that no matter how rocky the path that I am on is, I am safe. Help me not get shaken when You change my direction or delay my plans. Help me to commit whatever I do to You, and trust that You will establish my plans. Lord, help me always to stay dependent on you, to trust in you. Amen