The Lord is multi-facetted fascinating – His Timing and His Word and His Intentions all add up to AMAZING. There is nothing better/interesting than appreciating that the Lord knows best. We must appreciate the Lord’s timing – which isn’t ours – and we must appreciate the Lord’s advice.
In the Proverbs – as written down by Solomon and others – the Lord doesn’t say “I told you so” – but instead it is like He says: ‘I told you ahead of time’ – or – ‘I’m telling you so you understand people are people’ – probably to get us to toughen up and to have needed understanding that we are all broken people and crucially advice to protect our hearts… Often these proverbs remind us to be happier with less than be upset with everything. We could always appreciate a little with joy than setting our hopes too high. Appreciate life with no expectations rather than be greedy with too many expectations.
My favorite when the tough gets going is: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” And how about these sayings when you want to get revenge – well don’t and just let the Lord handle it: The Lord works out everything to its proper end – even the wicked for a day of disaster. AND The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Yes – let the Lord handle it.
Some Proverbs are like the Lord’s “one-liners” – some funny and some harsh – either way they are just as pertinent today as they were when the Lord knew we would need this advice – before we (and the universe) were even born. Yes – these sometimes zingers can be spicy – and sometimes simply good advice – the Lord’s advice – we should heed. Remember: Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. AND Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Read ’em and steep – meaning let them sink into your perspective on life. Below are only 2 sets of the 27 sets, all the Lord speaking!!! Remember: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life.” Yes, let the Lord’s tongue of knowledge soothe your ears or put fire under your feet!!!
Amen and please keep reading:
Proverbs 15
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—
how much more do human hearts!
Mockers resent correction,
so they avoid the wise.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!
The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.
The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.
Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 16
To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
The Lord works out everything to its proper end—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.
Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.
Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.
Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value the one who speaks what is right.
A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but the wise will appease it.
When a king’s face brightens, it means life;
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight rather than silver!
The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
The wise in heart are called discerning,
and gracious words promote instruction.
Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,
but folly brings punishment to fools.
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
and their lips promote instruction.
Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
A scoundrel plots evil,
and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
A perverse person stirs up conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.
A violent person entices their neighbor
and leads them down a path that is not good.
Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity;
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.
Debbie Upper 