February 16, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 16
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Following Scripture Verses

1. The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11. A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Today's Pathway:
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"All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits." - Proverbs 16: 2

Pride is a terrible sin that strikes all men in one form or another. In this verse Solomon speaks to one particular area of pride: the thinking that all the decisions that I make are correct ones. We often think of pride as being related to boasting about my special accomplishments and rewards. However, the Scripture is pointing out that when a man thinks that something must be correct simply because he chose it, then that is a problem as well.

Men always seem to have a "reason" for what they do. As a pastor I have heard numerous excuses for why something was or wasn't done. I have listened as people tried to explain away their blatant disregard for the Word of God with some foolish justification of their deeds. This is simply a fulfillment of Solomon's proverb. Men can always find some basis for their actions, and thus absolve themselves from any wrongdoing. They can blame someone else, or claim that they were misunderstood, or state that their motivations were somehow pure. Sometimes they may even twist the Scriptures in an attempt to make Them say what They do not. These men may be able to convince others, and they may even convince themselves, but ultimately it is God Who will act as Judge.

The Lord knows whether or not we have made the right decision. He also knows the spirit in which we performed the deeds. I may choose a "clean" path, but if my motivation and attitude is faulty, then the Lord will deal with that. He weighs everything, including what we do and how and why we do it, and His scales always read true.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery