I love the Proverbs, the Psalms are AMAZING (most shared by King David), YET the Proverbs are so much like “I TOLD YOU SO!” It is like writer King Solomon (temple builder, King David’s son) knew we were going to need something to nod our heads about. He learned a lot in the lots of life thrown to him… Surely we also need to know that the Lord is IN CHARGE and gives us ways to act. Someone said: it doesn’t matter what cards you have but HOW YOU PLAY YOUR HAND.
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
Yes, as a bingo player from way back in Catholic school and a card player not enough (wow I miss camping), I trust that the Lord is better at making the numbers and cards work for HIMSELF over anything He would put us through… The Lord can flip the tables and the coins… Count your money when the dealing is done. Play 52 pickup. Take life one day at a time – sometimes one moment at a time.
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. I have seen some things come out of left field. I really have. I bet you have too – the Lord will accomplish things HIS Way. I mean who would use the tactic of death for life but the Lord. Who else would make the most frail flowers pretty and the smallest detail so meaningful. Pray for something but DON’T expect the delivery to come thru the front door. Prepare for something but expect it to arrive in the LORD’S TIMING not yours.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Amen to this!! Wisdom is watching half the people panic for 6 inches of snow when you have enough milk and bread and food to last 6 weeks let alone 6 hours not getting to the store. It’s 0 to 60 inches as unknown compared to things which are INFINITELY known by God. Wisdom is waiting on the Lord for answers. Wisdom is knowing the Lord has a plan, JUST KEEP PRAYING. (And get your shovel ready too)
The hoary (grey-haired) head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. This means it is good to be old and wise IF you have found Whom to get your wisdom from, where to pull your strength from, and especially to not fly off the handle at every little thing. I have never thought of myself as old – but it is the youth who make you realize you have seen a whole slice of life they have yet to experience. It is also with age comes wisdom to make you spend more time on the important things.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Amen Amen Amen!!!
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty. How many times did we expect a fight or angry words or something and said “wow that was easy” – “wow I thought he would be more mad.” It was the humble heart which positioned us for a blessing over a fight. Can we put our madness where our mouth ISN’T and be slow to anger? I know there are many aspects of God to emulate – but this has got to be one of the best of them – BE SLOW TO ANGER. Give Grace, Let God have the Last Word – because He had the First.
There are moments in life where you say: “I am surprised and glad to be where I am now and not where I was”. There are moments when you are happy to have plans change and you get to stay home – happy to nestle in (with those 6 weeks of provisions) for a few days of just pretend to be snowed in like “Little House on the Prairie” moments.
OH, IF WE ALL COULD JUST BE CONTENT.
Just TRUST that the Lord, who dispenses the Lots of Life, will hold you in the Palm of His Hand, ALWAYS.
Amen
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Proverbs 16
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
