A word fitly spoken is like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver – Proverbs 25v11
The Book of Judges ends with these ominous words-“everybody did what was right in their own eyes”. There was no longer any restraint to peoples’ behaviour and nobody was answerable to any authority because everybody was exercising “freedom”. But this was a deception because if laws become a matter of personal interpretation and there is no plumbline of morality the outcome is anarchy and breakdown of family and society. We see this world view becoming more and more prevalent in our time, but it should not surprise us as it was forecast in 2 Timothy 3v2 that in the last days “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy”. The reality is if we want real freedom there has to be truth-“the truth will set you free”. John8v32.
The Book of Proverbs is a gold mine of truth and wisdom and we should be tapping into it on a regular basis. For the next few weeks I want to introduce you to chapter 13 starting today with verse 1.
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.
We all have dreams and plans for our future because that is what motivates us to get up in the morning with anticipation and purpose. But being human the danger is that because our minds and hearts are deceitful and deceptive to a greater or lesser extent our plans are often shaped by our selfish desires and ambitions which often lead to unfortunate consequences for both ourselves and others. The good news is that if we have the Lord’s Spirit indwelling us and we are seeking “true freedom” He will quietly, or not so quietly, bring to our notice if our motives are suspect and impure. This verse promises that if we commit everything we do to the Lord and are prepared to have our motives weighed by Him and subject them to His will we will be saved the trouble of being “led down the garden path” and our plans will be firm like a house built on a rock. Friends let us be sensible and humble ourselves before the Lord and seek His guidance before we embark on putting into practice our plans and we will be blessed with a favourable outcome.
God Bless
Graeme Greenwood