Pages

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Wisdom Project 2/16



Proverbs 16 - NIV
Proverbs 16 - ESV


Proverbs 16:4 . . .

The LORD works out everything for his own ends
even the wicked for a day of disaster.


Commentary:

Give God the glory! Fall before the King of heaven! Here are the final and true answers to four of life's greatest questions: What is the origin of things? Why do they exist? Who is the true God? And why does evil exist? This single sentence is worth the weight of your house in gold! Humble yourself before this axiom from heaven and learn wisdom!

Proverbs is of little value, if you stumble here. The beginning of wisdom depends on grasping this proverb (1:7; 9:10). This verse should be one of the first children memorize. Here is the Bible worldview. From this foundation of knowledge, we can reason safely and sanely about other matters of life. If you neglect or reject the truth here, your life will be a nightmare of confusion, and then you will meet an angry God (Ps 7:11; Amos 4:12).

From: Let God Be God

Blessings
3 John 8
Bill H.
_________

WISDOM PROJECT: For this month, I will supply links to both the NIV and ESV versions of the chapter each day (Feb. 1 = Proverbs 1, etc.) in the post—both of which contain the audio.

And in the month of February a unique feature for the WP will be Commentaries on selected passages/verses from within the chapter for the day. And for the most part, these comments will be from links in the Online Bible Study Resources feature here on the 3 John 8 blog (scroll down in the column to the right to find the links).

Note to Proverbs class participants: this is the place where you should post your application comments for the Daily Proverbs Reading Assignment.

30 comments:

Unknown said...

Good morning God. I’ve heard, believed, and understand v4 – and even experienced some things that may fall into this category, but I’ve not committed it to memory; so that is a goal of mine for today.
In another version this verse ends with “the day of evil” or “the day of doom”. I’ve tried to put myself in the disciple’s shoes on that fateful day at Calvary (I always wondered why religions refer to it as “Good Friday”), and somehow I’m sure I still don’t quite understand the suffering that they witnessed and experienced as they saw you being crucified. Even the cross of your Son – Jesus Christ was ordained by You God to work out your plan of redemption: simply because you loved us. Thank you.
…and I commit to stop ‘winking’…
Mike T.

Jilli Bair said...

"Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." - vs. 32.
So often our heroes include people who are so visibly passionate about what they believe that they charge ahead and destroy any who opposes them. Sometimes it's a good thing - other times it is very empty and vain. How many times do I stop and admire the person who has mastered their temper, who has learned to control their spirit before lashing out against others? This discipline is so important and admirable, yet I tend to put it on the back burner when comparing that person to someone who was a great warrior for their cause. I'm not saying war is bad by any means, but the verse does have a point - "...better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."

Jim Morrison said...

Verse 3 - "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." When our heart is in tune with God then our plans will be in line with His. If we take these plans to the Lord and ask Him for wisdom and guidance, He will lead the way. "In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps. (16:9)" The steps we take to accomplish our plans when allowing God to lead the way may not be the steps that we would have taken, but God knows what we need to strengthen us and teach us. He is preparing us for future steps through each and every circumstance He takes us through. We need to trust Him and allow Him to lead us.

Anonymous said...

Response 2/16/2010 10:35 AM
Proverbs 16:4 . . .
The LORD works out everything for his own ends—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
God does work all things for his ends. Believers are the ends of God’s purpose in blessing and fellowship with him for eternity. God even uses the wicked to accomplish these ends.
John Erbentraut

Unknown said...

Verse 9: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." This verse really humbles me as a Christian. I am so good at planning for the next step, but God always seems to change that plan. God's plans and thoughts are not my plans and thoughts, but my plans always seem right. I can see that God is in full control despite my plans. If I am truly seeking the Lord's will, then I can always trust that He will direct my steps even when I have planned a different course. That is where the humility comes in this specific verse. I have to be willing to say that God's direction is better than my plans.

Melissa Jordan said...

I love the verse" Commit your way to the Lord, whatever you do and your plans will succeed." This is such a great reminder to me that its not what my plans are that matter, my desire should be to serve God and have His plans succeed in my life, not for my own selfish ambition but for God's glory and design. If I commit my way to Him, He will guide me and show me the way He has for me... what an awesome promise.

Sarah said...

I feel like this chapter is talking about speech and instruction that comes from people's mouths. Speech can cause evil of good, it depends in how you use your speech with each other.

mdungan said...

"He who is slow to anger is better then the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, then he who captures a city." Proverbs 16:32

I really like this verse. Just how important it is to keep your anger under control not only speeks of wisdom but also maturity and self control. This is somthing I think so many of us need to practice more of and really take to heart. Also to those who are able to hold his spirit is better then he who captures a city! That's how much God looks at that. That he would say we are mightier then those who seem of great power if we control our anger and our spirit. That is just mind blowing to me.

SarahK said...

Throughout this chapter I thought about Daniel. Most, if not all of the verses seemed to describe Daniel. Especially the middle of the chapter. Proverbs about how to deal with authority, how to gain and keep respect of kings.

Carrie L. said...

23 "A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction".
This verse reminded me of the verse in Luke 6:45 "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks".

What we let into our hearts(minds) whether good or bad will be exemplefied thru our actions and speech. It is important that we fill our minds with God's word so that we may know the fear of the LORD and have lips that promote instruction.

Tim K. said...

Verses 9 and 33 remind me of the sovreignty of the LORD. Nothung is ever up to chance or the plan of man. We are never victims of circumstance, nor can we plan something and make it come to pass if it is not the will of GOD. While this is very humbling it also is very comforting because it causes us to rely on GOD instead of thinking He is relying on us.

Krista Harrison said...

Commit your work to the LORD,
and your plans will be established.
4 The LORD has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps...I used to live my life so concerned with gaining other peoples approval. It didn't matter what I thought or knew I just wanted others to think well of me. Now after growing up a bit it's become so clear to me that its the heart that matters. The Lord looks at our hearts, he plans our ways and we need to be intuned with what where he has us going. The Lord will honor us to the degree we honor him...I was told that yesterday and I feel like that is so true. The lord will establish my steps even if it's steps that I have take in the dark and by faith.

Rachel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachel said...

"The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble" (4).
I felt that this verse an encouraging reminder of God's sovereign design. Too often, people say things like, "I just don't know if God is going to [be able to] use me". This is not only somewhat ignorant and prideful on our part but it also limits God. Such a statement profoundly misunderstands the sovereignty of God; He has made everything for a purpose and uses everything-every person, situation, and event-to further His plan and bring Him glory. Even Pharaoh, with an evil hardened heart, was used by God to further His purpose. How much more will God use His children whom He loves and who have, by the power of His Spirit, given themselves to His leading?

Unknown said...

Verse three says, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." In conjunction with what we discussed today on the Discussion Board, as the future is concerned, if we trust completely in the LORD and commit our way to Him then my will for my life and His will coincide. I will succeed in all that I do if it is what the LORD wants. Many time I find myself committing to my ways for my life because I've been there done that or because I think I can take care of it without "bothering" God. Truth is, I need Him in every facet of my life, no matter how big or how small.

Gabe Vanderstel said...

32 Better a patient man than a warrior,
a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

God has been teaching me to be patient in all things and to rely on His perfect timing. I have always struggled with patience and still do. Verse 32 reminds me that i must live a life of patience, especially if i am going to be working with teenagers and if I plan to be married someday. Love requires patience and trusting in God requires it as well. A warrior is valuable to a king, but a patient man is more valuable than that

Renee K said...

"but the Lord", "are the Lords", "by the fear of the Lord," I was reminded throughout this passage that everything that we do, if we desire it to be successful, must be done through the Lord. He is sovereign and apart from relying on him, I won't succeed.

Unknown said...

Proverbs 16:31
"Gray hair is h a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life."
- I always thought this an interesting concept. That older peoples gray hair is not just one of those things that "goes" wrong when you mature, but it is a sign of wisdom in how they have experience life. I look forward to the day when I too will have a head full of white hair and will wear it as my crown and that I can say that I have lived a good and righteous life. I know this comment is different than usual, but its just a couple thoughts that I had about this random subject.

Mandi said...

Verse 4 was a hugh encouragement to me today while reading Proverbs, The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. It reminds me that God is in control of everything the good and the bad He has created it all for Him. This Proverb also taught me a lot about humility. I need to turn from pride and be more humble. I need to be slow to anger..think before i speak and react!

julee said...

Those who heed instruction instead of doing everything their own way.. those who trust the Lord instead of trusting themselves.. they are the ones that are blessed. This is true, yet opposite from the way I live or how I think sometimes.

Nate said...

HEY ITS THE ANSWER TO "WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO IN MY LIFE!!!" Look at these verses 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man,but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,but the Lord weighs the spirit.3 Commit your work to the Lord,. These are soo important! Look the plans of the heart belong to man. BUT the Lord weighs the spirit in which we go through with out plans. Therefore we need to commit out ways to the Lord so that our plans are established. Does it really matter WHAT we do in life as long as we are doing FOR THE LORD? I am really in a place in which I don't think it does matter what we do as long as we seek to honor God and benefit his kingdom in doing it.

Lisa Griffiths said...

Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
I love this verse. I like the whole idea of keeping our tongues pure. I need to do a better job at making sure what I am saying is righteous and uplifting to others. Too many times I just talk to talk. I need to make sure my talk is more of a encouragement than anything.

Unknown said...

Verse 1-4 all talk about how man makes plans, but God's plan has a purpose. God sees our hearts and knows our plans, but He has a plan that is far greater than ours could ever be.

Unknown said...

i need to know what my purpose is in this world, i need to know what the Lord has for me, this is something ive been thinking about because of verse 4 "the lord has made everything for its purpose

Renee said...

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

The outcome of a lot is often considered the product of chance; yet we know as believers that there is no chance, that God is in control of everything. However, we often still think in terms of the worldly view of chance and our order of thinking. The mission's conference helped me to understand that I know nothing and God is in control of everything.

Jessica said...

Verses 1-4 were a great encouragement to me today. So many times I think I have/know the plan and way I want my life to go on a daily basis and in the future. But my plan is nothing. I need to focus on what God's plan is. and remember that even though i may think that something isn't good God has a plan for it and I need to rely on Him

Unknown said...

“Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established” (Prov. 16:3).
I’ve always loved this verse, but also wondered how do I know my work is committed to the Lord? Human work is committed to the Lord when it is undertaken in faith and when it is accompanied by the prayer that God’s will should be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Cody F said...

I thought it was interesting seeing the several verses that talk about how we need to be careful what we say and to who. vs 13 "Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and he who speaks right is loved." I need to speak carefully to others, so that I can have a good testimony.

Ashlie said...

The words that I say will have an impacted on those who I am communicating. I need to make sure that I seek God for wisdom and understanding. More importantly when it comes to communicating the word of God. Chapter 16 has really made me think about if I really seek God for wisdom when it comes to my speech.

TWash said...

This chapter brought me straight to how sovereign God is! Sometimes I have a struggle with guilt and shame, which is not from God. I can never be good enough for God and He chose me even though He all the bad choices I would make. It is all part of His plan. Every struggle and every victory because either way He is in control.!Everything is about our GOD!!!!