FBC Daily Devotions

There are some very interesting things said in this proverb that concern man’s plans and God’s plans. Take note that these are not promises or guarantees, but observations (cf. v. 3, 7). That said, I hold to the truth that “the Lord works out everything for his own ends” (v. 4) – a truth that gives us hope to the end.

Proverbs 16

 ¹ To man belong the plans of the heart,
       but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.

 ² All a man’s ways seem innocent to him,
       but motives are weighed by the LORD.

 ³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
       and your plans will succeed.

 ⁴ The LORD works out everything for his own ends—
       even the wicked for a day of disaster.

 ⁵ The LORD detests all the proud of heart.
       Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

 ⁶ Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
       through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

 ⁷ When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD,
       he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

 ⁸ Better a little with righteousness
       than much gain with injustice.

 ⁹ In his heart a man plans his course,
       but the LORD determines his steps.

 ¹⁰ The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
       and his mouth should not betray justice.

 ¹¹ Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;
       all the weights in the bag are of his making.

 ¹² Kings detest wrongdoing,
       for a throne is established through righteousness.

 ¹³ Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
       they value a man who speaks the truth.

 ¹⁴ A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
       but a wise man will appease it.

 ¹⁵ When a king’s face brightens, it means life;
       his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

 ¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold,
       to choose understanding rather than silver!

 ¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil;
       he who guards his way guards his life.

 ¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
       a haughty spirit before a fall.

 ¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed
       than to share plunder with the proud.

 ²⁰ Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
       and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

 ²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning,
       and pleasant words promote instruction.

 ²² Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
       but folly brings punishment to fools.

 ²³ A wise man’s heart guides his mouth,
       and his lips promote instruction.

 ²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
       sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

 ²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man,
       but in the end it leads to death.

 ²⁶ The laborer’s appetite works for him;
       his hunger drives him on.

 ²⁷ A scoundrel plots evil,
       and his speech is like a scorching fire.

 ²⁸ A perverse man stirs up dissension,
       and a gossip separates close friends.

 ²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor
       and leads him down a path that is not good.

 ³⁰ He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity;
       he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

 ³¹ Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
       it is attained by a righteous life.

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

 ³³ The lot is cast into the lap,
       but its every decision is from the LORD.

Take a few minutes to meditate more deeply on one or two of the proverbs in this chapter. How have you seen any of these to be true in your life?

Proverbs 15

 ¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath,
       but a harsh word stirs up anger.

 ² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
       but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

 ³ The eyes of the LORD are everywhere,
       keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

 ⁴ The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
       but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

 ⁵ A fool spurns his father’s discipline,
       but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

 ⁶ The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
       but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.

 ⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
       not so the hearts of fools.

 ⁸ The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
       but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

 ⁹ The LORD detests the way of the wicked
       but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

 ¹⁰ Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path;
       he who hates correction will die.

 ¹¹ Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD—
       how much more the hearts of men!

 ¹² A mocker resents correction;
       he will not consult the wise.

 ¹³ A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
       but heartache crushes the spirit.

 ¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
       but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

 ¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
       but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

 ¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the LORD
       than great wealth with turmoil.

 ¹⁷ Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
       than a fattened calf with hatred.

 ¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
       but a patient man calms a quarrel.

 ¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
       but the path of the upright is a highway.

 ²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father,
       but a foolish man despises his mother.

 ²¹ Folly delights a man who lacks judgment,
       but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.

 ²² Plans fail for lack of counsel,
       but with many advisers they succeed.

 ²³ A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—
       and how good is a timely word!

 ²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise
       to keep him from going down to the grave.

 ²⁵ The LORD tears down the proud man’s house
       but he keeps the widow’s boundaries intact.

 ²⁶ The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,
       but those of the pure are pleasing to him.

 ²⁷ A greedy man brings trouble to his family,
       but he who hates bribes will live.

 ²⁸ The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
       but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

 ²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked
       but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

 ³⁰ A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,
       and good news gives health to the bones.

 ³¹ He who listens to a life-giving rebuke
       will be at home among the wise.

 ³² He who ignores discipline despises himself,
       but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

 ³³ The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom,
       and humility comes before honor.

I am personally challenged by v. 14 that the faithless will be repaid and the good man rewarded. It takes a courageous and discplined life to walk with God when we are experiencing hardship. Doing the right thing will be ultimately rewarded by God if not in this life, certainly in our life to come. We have to believe the living an obedient life in Christ will make a difference – that is faith.

Proverbs 14

 ¹ The wise woman builds her house,
       but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

 ² He whose walk is upright fears the LORD,
       but he whose ways are devious despises him.

 ³ A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back,
       but the lips of the wise protect them.

 ⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
       but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.

 ⁵ A truthful witness does not deceive,
       but a false witness pours out lies.

 ⁶ The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
       but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

 ⁷ Stay away from a foolish man,
       for you will not find knowledge on his lips.

 ⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
       but the folly of fools is deception.

 ⁹ Fools mock at making amends for sin,
       but goodwill is found among the upright.

 ¹⁰ Each heart knows its own bitterness,
       and no one else can share its joy.

 ¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
       but the tent of the upright will flourish.

 ¹² There is a way that seems right to a man,
       but in the end it leads to death.

 ¹³ Even in laughter the heart may ache,
       and joy may end in grief.

 ¹⁴ The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
       and the good man rewarded for his.

 ¹⁵ A simple man believes anything,
       but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

 ¹⁶ A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil,
       but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

 ¹⁷ A quick-tempered man does foolish things,
       and a crafty man is hated.

 ¹⁸ The simple inherit folly,
       but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

 ¹⁹ Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good,
       and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

 ²⁰ The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
       but the rich have many friends.

 ²¹ He who despises his neighbor sins,
       but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

 ²² Do not those who plot evil go astray?
       But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

 ²³ All hard work brings a profit,
       but mere talk leads only to poverty.

 ²⁴ The wealth of the wise is their crown,
       but the folly of fools yields folly.

 ²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,
       but a false witness is deceitful.

 ²⁶ He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress,
       and for his children it will be a refuge.

 ²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
       turning a man from the snares of death.

 ²⁸ A large population is a king’s glory,
       but without subjects a prince is ruined.

 ²⁹ A patient man has great understanding,
       but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

 ³⁰ A heart at peace gives life to the body,
       but envy rots the bones.

 ³¹ He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
       but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

 ³² When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
       but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

 ³³ Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
       and even among fools she lets herself be known.

 ³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
       but sin is a disgrace to any people.

 ³⁵ A king delights in a wise servant,
       but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.

The hard working, advice-listening, discplined individual may go a long way in this life…

Proverbs 13

 ¹ A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
       but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

 ² From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things,
       but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.

 ³ He who guards his lips guards his life,
       but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

 ⁴ The sluggard craves and gets nothing,
       but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

 ⁵ The righteous hate what is false,
       but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

 ⁶ Righteousness guards the man of integrity,
       but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

 ⁷ One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
       another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

 ⁸ A man’s riches may ransom his life,
       but a poor man hears no threat.

 ⁹ The light of the righteous shines brightly,
       but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

 ¹⁰ Pride only breeds quarrels,
       but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

 ¹¹ Dishonest money dwindles away,
       but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

 ¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
       but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

 ¹³ He who scorns instruction will pay for it,
       but he who respects a command is rewarded.

 ¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
       turning a man from the snares of death.

 ¹⁵ Good understanding wins favor,
       but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

 ¹⁶ Every prudent man acts out of knowledge,
       but a fool exposes his folly.

 ¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
       but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

 ¹⁸ He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame,
       but whoever heeds correction is honored.

 ¹⁹ A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
       but fools detest turning from evil.

 ²⁰ He who walks with the wise grows wise,
       but a companion of fools suffers harm.

 ²¹ Misfortune pursues the sinner,
       but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

 ²² A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children,
       but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

 ²³ A poor man’s field may produce abundant food,
       but injustice sweeps it away.

 ²⁴ He who spares the rod hates his son,
       but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

 ²⁵ The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
       but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

This chapter is filled with many words of wisdom, but most seem disconnected from one to the next. Which proverb resonates with you today?

Proverbs 12

 ¹ Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
       but he who hates correction is stupid.

 ² A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
       but the LORD condemns a crafty man.

 ³ A man cannot be established through wickedness,
       but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

 ⁴ A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
       but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

 ⁵ The plans of the righteous are just,
       but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

 ⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
       but the speech of the upright rescues them.

 ⁷ Wicked men are overthrown and are no more,
       but the house of the righteous stands firm.

 ⁸ A man is praised according to his wisdom,
       but men with warped minds are despised.

 ⁹ Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
       than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

 ¹⁰ A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal,
       but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

 ¹¹ He who works his land will have abundant food,
       but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

 ¹² The wicked desire the plunder of evil men,
       but the root of the righteous flourishes.

 ¹³ An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk,
       but a righteous man escapes trouble.

 ¹⁴ From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
       as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

 ¹⁵ The way of a fool seems right to him,
       but a wise man listens to advice.

 ¹⁶ A fool shows his annoyance at once,
       but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

 ¹⁷ A truthful witness gives honest testimony,
       but a false witness tells lies.

 ¹⁸ Reckless words pierce like a sword,
       but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

 ¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
       but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

 ²⁰ There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil,
       but joy for those who promote peace.

 ²¹ No harm befalls the righteous,
       but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

 ²² The LORD detests lying lips,
       but he delights in men who are truthful.

 ²³ A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself,
       but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

 ²⁴ Diligent hands will rule,
       but laziness ends in slave labor.

 ²⁵ An anxious heart weighs a man down,
       but a kind word cheers him up.

 ²⁶ A righteous man is cautious in friendship,
       but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

 ²⁷ The lazy man does not roast his game,
       but the diligent man prizes his possessions.

 ²⁸ In the way of righteousness there is life;
       along that path is immortality.