Practical Wisdom from a King

May 2, 2022 No. 14
Proverbs 16:1-9 Holy Bible Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Most of the book of Proverbs was authored by King Solomon. I have found it to be all about wisdom. I am sold on the idea that there cannot be a more wonderfully-rich life style than can be experienced by living according to the Bible—the infallible Word of God. Living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ probably won’t “make you points” among your friends, but God will smile on you and your life should be less complicated and freer of chaos.
Our scripture portion this week, though written by a king, is very pragmatic and may very well be adopted in order to live a full and wonderful life. I see no way whereby we might be unsuccessful if we follow Solomon’s direction in Proverbs 16:1-9.
In keeping with verse one, “People might plan what they want to say, but it is the LORD who gives them the right words” should give those who lack confidence a whole new lease on life. If you’ve read my book “Being in Step with God” you know that I believe the best way to live is to be in constant relationship with Christ’s Holy Spirit. So, commit your life to Christ and believe in what Solomon is saying in Proverbs 16:1.
Have you or anyone you know ever suffered with “Needing-to-be-right-all-the-time-itis”? Listen to what Solomon recommends as the remedy for this dreaded disease. “People think that whatever they do is right, but the LORD judges their reason for doing it. Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful” (vv. 2-3). Here’s the thing. When we turn our lives over to the Lord to manage it for us, adopting Solomon’s wisdom, we can rest assured that the Lord will give us “the right words,” and we “will be successful.” And guess what? Because the Lord “judges [our] reason for doing [whatever we do], we may feel justified in looking to the Lord for help in all we do.
I’ve written before about how it often appears that the wicked are winning out in today’s society. You know, the age-old adage that “nice guys finish last.” In this week’s passage we read “The LORD has a plan for everything. In his plan, the wicked will be destroyed. The LORD hates those who are proud. You can be sure he will punish them all” (vv. 4-5). Those who seem always to be coming out on top, and their being proud of it … never following the rules that the rest of us have to follow and obey, God has a plan for them! Reread verses four through five. Pretty cool, hey?
How about a formula for living “the good life”? I’m a former social studies teacher, but I think that somewhere there is a math teacher trying to fight his way onto the scene from me. “Faithful love and loyalty will remove your guilt. Respect the LORD and you will stay far away from evil” (v. 6). Please remember that I am not a mathematician, but the following might pass as a quasi-formulaic equation. My math friends may need to use their imagination with this one.
FAITHFUL LOVE + LOYALTY (RESPECT FOR THE LORD) = – GUILT + NO EVIL
King Solomon is best known for his wisdom and his riches. He was a king, so he of course had those who wished him harm. No king can avoid this. So how did Solomon feel about his enemies? We read, “When people live to please the LORD, even their enemies will be at peace with them” (v. 7). I want to stay true to my mission with this blog—I do not want to become political. But I dare say that I doubt that our government officials are “living to please the LORD;” is it any wonder that our country needs to spend so much money for our defense?
Our author goes on to address what our station in life may be, and how we should behave accordingly. Solomon writes, “It is better to be poor and do right than to be rich and do wrong” (v. 8). Enough said.
Lastly, Solomon writes “People can plan what they want to do, but it is the LORD who guides their steps” (v. 9). How POWERFUL is that?! If you know what’s good for you, you will give your life over to God, and let Him direct your path. I cannot say enough about how the lives of my family have been touched and blessed because we have permitted God to “guide [our] steps” for so many years.
Readers, don’t fight it! Give it all up for the Lord. You won’t ever regret that decision.