Are You In Agreement?

My prayer this morning went something like, “thank you God for being in control. Thank you God for ordering my steps. Thank you Lord for controlling situations I cannot.” When I opened my devotional the heading was Letting God Decide. Of course my response was then “thank you Lord for placing me in agreement with You!”

The same subject matter rises and sets in Proverbs 16. 1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. This says to me while my heart may long for the plans of the world, God yet gives me His answers to speak from my mouth. Despite our hearts, are we saying what God wants us to say? Despite our desires, are we doing what God has called us to do? If we practice God’s ways long enough, they will become the reality and the desires for our lives.

Our relationships and commitments to God are more important than anything.  6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided. Do we fear God more than any sin? Not silly fear like the fear we have for each other or in the world. But true fear that we may miss God. True, trembling fear that we could get it all wrong if we do not stay close to God. Eternal fear that we could find ourselves in a time and place separated from God. Hmmm, “please God, let my spiritual fear outweigh my desires.”

Proverbs is a rich book and if you ever want to dedicate a month’s study to one book. It has thirty-one chapters, one for each day of the month. God is so complete. He could have made it thirty and left us hanging for the thirty-one day months. But even in the small things He has gone before us to make our way complete. Complete because His grace is sufficient. Complete because whether we abase or abound we can be full in the Lord.

Closing now, but one other popular verse from chapter sixteen should hold us until the next time.  18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. I considered myself as I read this one, as we should with all scripture – easy to put others in judgment, but it is so much better to stand ourselves up for correction before God. I thought, “My pride does come before every fall, however, as long as it comes with a righteous indignation, it is well.” I am prideful about what is right and what is wrong. My character leaves me standing alone at times. My path is the one a lot less traveled in the world. My convictions make my mouth the only one moving at times. But I continue to trust God to honor His truth He has placed in my heart to speak and to pray what others will not.

Best,

NCFive17