Proverbs 16

READ CHAPTER 16 OF PROVERBS ON YOUR OWN,

OR FOLLOW THE LINK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE!

  

 VERSE TO MEMORIZE THIS WEEK: 

There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

What is desired in a man is kindness,
And a poor man is better than a liar.

The fear of the Lord leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil. 

Proverbs 19:21-23 NKJV

EXTRA VERSES TO MEMORIZE:

*Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV) 
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.

*Proverbs 14:26-27 (NIV)
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
    and for their children it will be a refuge. 
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death.

 

PROVERBS 16

First of all, let me apologize to the readers who are hoping to sit down and enjoy the “meat of the word”.  This probably won’t be a big juicy steak.  But, maybe someone out there will enjoy a nice sip of milk during this month of study.

 

This chapter of Proverbs was tough for me.  There is so much in it.  I would have to write a book to cover it all.  So, I chose to just talk about a few of the verses; the ones that shouted at me from the pages of my Bible.

 Verse 1:  The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

 

This scripture lets us know one all important truth:  We are not able to plan anything by ourselves that can be considered wise or good.  Yes, God gave us free will.  We can make our plans.  We can choose our path.  We can decide all manner of things in our hearts, but God will have the last say.  If we are wise, we will listen for God’s voice and change our plans accordingly.

Psalm 10:17-18 reads: Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That man of the earth may oppress no more.

Philippians 2:13 reads: for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Verse 2:  All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes.  But the Lord weighs the spirits.

 

Now, this one hits a little closer to home for me.  I am always trying to justify my anger:  “If that idiot wasn’t driving so stupid, traffic wouldn’t be backed up.”  “If the kids would just do what I say, I wouldn’t have to yell at them”

Or justify my actions: “Hey, he was rude to me, so I was rude to him.”

Believe me, I could go on and on.  Referring back to verse 1, this verse tells us that man always expects the answer of the tongue to mirror the preparations of his heart.  It seems that this is rarely the case.  God weighs our intentions.  He sees our true heart.  The one we hide from everyone, even from ourselves.

His measure is just and fair.

Romans 12:3 reads: For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Proverbs 21:2 reads:  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.

 

(That’s how I know this verse is important!  It’s in more than just one chapter of Proverbs.

Some things just need to be beaten into our brains repeatedly!!)

 

Verse 16:  How much better to get wisdom than gold!  And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

 

Heavenly wisdom is far greater than worldly gold.  Heavenly wisdom is the acceptance of grace.  Grace will stand in our place when we draw our final breath.  Grace covers a multitude of sins.  Solomon not only stated this, he proclaimed it.  He shouted it.  He voiced it as a challenge.  In this one verse, he challenges us to search ourselves.  How much better is wisdom than gold?  Look inside and search your heart.  Do we place God’s wisdom first in our lives?  Do we strive for it like we strive for a nice house or paid off credit cards?

Proverbs 3:14 reads:  For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.

Proverbs 8:19 reads: My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.

( There’s that hammer beating down on my head again)

Job 28 is dedicated to how valuable wisdom is.  I won’t type it out here for the sake of time, but it is worth reading.

 

I could go on and on with each verse in this chapter.  It is so full of wisdom and information (well, the whole book is), but I will leave you with one more verse.

 

Verse 32:  He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

 

If we will become slow to anger, we are more apt to be pacified before we lash out.  Let the moment pass as you analyze the situation.  Hear from the Lord.  LISTEN to the Lord! Of course, the underlying theme of this verse is how HARD that is to do.  All you need is strength and courage to take a city.  It takes so much more to overtake your own ego.  But, how much better is it to quell an uprising in your own soul than to conquer a warring city?

Proverbs 14:29 reads:  He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

James 1:19 reads:  So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

 

In conclusion, this chapter, to me, states one thing over and over: God is in control.  He will guide our feet if we allow him to.  He will guide our tongue (which needs all the guidance it can get).  If we submit to him, he will pour his wisdom and love out on us.  Of course He will.  He gave His only Son for a world that did not deserve saving.  What father, that would do that, would deny his children wisdom and guidance?  My prayer is that He will teach me to be an open vessel ready to receive His wisdom in every situation.  More of you, Lord.  Less of me.   Help me to change the preparations of my heart into all things pleasing to You.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  DALE CHANCE is the husband of 16 years to Naomi, and Father to 4 children.  He attends Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, where he serves in the Sound & Media Ministry.