Think back to when you were little. How many times did you answer the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
More than you could count, right? Your answers may have ranged from astronaut to zookeeper, but one thing’s for sure — your thoughts were on the future from a very young age.
As a concept, the future is fascinating. From blank canvases to an unwritten page, analogies tend to focus on its limitless potential. The thought of doing whatever we want is exhilarating. But as we get older and begin planning what’s next, fear of the unknown often overwhelms our enthusiasm. For many of us, the future is a maddening mix of excitement and uncertainty.
In Proverbs 16, Solomon addresses the challenge of planning for the future. While we have the freedom to chart a course forward as we see fit, submitting our plans to God’s leading is the only sure way to ensure lasting significance (Proverbs 16:1-9).
Following God may require us to set aside personal agendas and aspirations, but it allows us to experience His faithfulness in a way that reshapes what we value and how we define success. Doing what’s right begins to take precedence over doing what’s easy, and the legacy we leave is one that values virtue over material reward (Proverbs 16:10-17).
Even as we plan our future according to God’s direction, we still have a responsibility to work hard and demonstrate discipline and self-control. It takes faith and humility to put our heart into plans we can’t control, but when we walk the path God reveals, the end result is always better than what we could have accomplished alone (Proverbs 16:18-33).
Reflect: | |
| Proverbs 16:1 | The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. |
| Proverbs 16:2 | All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. |
| Proverbs 16:3 | Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. |
| Proverbs 16:4 | The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. |
| Proverbs 16:5 | Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. |
| Proverbs 16:6 | By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. |
| Proverbs 16:7 | When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. |
| Proverbs 16:8 | Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. |
| Proverbs 16:9 | A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. |
| Proverbs 16:10 | A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. |
| Proverbs 16:11 | A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. |
| Proverbs 16:12 | It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. |
| Proverbs 16:13 | Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. |
| Proverbs 16:14 | The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. |
| Proverbs 16:15 | In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. |
| Proverbs 16:16 | How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! |
| Proverbs 16:17 | The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. |
| Proverbs 16:18 | Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. |
| Proverbs 16:19 | Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. |
| Proverbs 16:20 | He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. |
| Proverbs 16:21 | The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. |
| Proverbs 16:22 | Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. |
| Proverbs 16:23 | The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. |
| Proverbs 16:24 | Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. |
| Proverbs 16:25 | There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. |
| Proverbs 16:26 | He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. |
| Proverbs 16:27 | An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. |
| Proverbs 16:28 | A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. |
| Proverbs 16:29 | A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. |
| Proverbs 16:30 | He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. |
| Proverbs 16:31 | The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. |
| Proverbs 16:32 | He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. |
| Proverbs 16:33 | The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
|
