Proverbs 16:3 “Let the Lord Establish You”

“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”

The word ‘commit’ means to ‘roll onto.’ That is exactly what we must do: roll the concerns of our souls onto the Lord and let Him, whom we have trusted for eternal salvation, ease our cares and establish our thoughts. With our thoughts established, our minds are at peace and we can pursue the greater calling to become more like Christ. Commit all your works to the Lord, great and small, rely on His grace, and know peace.

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Related Scriptures: Psalm 37:4-5; 55:22; Romans 8:28; 1 Timothy 1:12; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7

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“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” – 1 Timothy 1:12

Proverbs 15:3 “The Lord Sees All”

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

We understand that God is omniscient, and beholds “the evil and the good.” But what impact should that have on our lives? First of all, we are all seen of Him, the righteous and the wicked. There is no place we can flee from His presence. Secondly, we should be aware that all our actions are seen by Him, nothing is hid – good or evil – and one day we will stand before Him and give an account. This gives comfort to the believer walking in Christian truth and should haunt those that reject the Lord.

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 5:21; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Job 34:21-22; Jeremiah 16:17; 23:24; 32:19; Hebrews 4:13

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“Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.” – Psalms 139:7-12

Proverbs 14:29 “Wisdom Controls Wrath”

“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.”

When under stress, the man of wisdom continues to think and is slow to speak on the matter. He is of a humble spirit, does not seek his own, and tries to appease strife, knowing that a gentle answer turns away wrath. The man who lacks wisdom reacts, escalating the issue and exalting his own folly for all to see. His pride does not allow him to consider the end of the matter and he will often be put to shame.

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 15:18; 16:32; 22:24-25; 25:8; Daniel 3:19-25; 1 Corinthians 13:4-5; James 1:19; 3:17-18

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“Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.” – Proverbs 22:24-25

Proverbs 13:13 “Reverence for the Word”

“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”

The Word of God should be at the forefront of the Christian’s life. It should be revered, honored, learned, and obeyed. Those who spurn its precepts and warnings, trading them for the momentary pleasures of the world or the flesh, insure their own destruction. By contrast, those who cling to every word and commandment, submitting to its authority through obedience, honor God, avoid destruction, and receive reward.

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Related Scriptures: 2 Samuel 2:9-10; 2 Chronicles 36:16; Psalm 19:7-11; 119:165; Proverbs 1:25,30,31; James 1:25

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“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever,

The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much find gold:

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is they servant warned:

And in keeping of them there is great reward.”

Psalm 19:7-11

Proverbs 12:22 “Abominable Lies”

“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are His delight.”

While wickedness in general is called an abomination to the Lord, there are a few evils specifically named as being an abomination to the Lord. These abominable acts all have one thing in common: a devastating, destructive effect on human society. Christians should abhor lying just as the Lord and should distance ourselves from any deceit. We also must be upright and truthful in all our dealings, not only for the benefit of human society, but also because that will make us “His delight.”

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 6:16-17; 11:1; Jeremiah 9:24; Ezekiel 13:19; Revelation 21:8

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“Repetition does not transform a lie into truth.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Proverbs 11:30 “Fruit From the Righteous”

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of live; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

The refreshing fruit of the righteous gives life to those around him. His wisdom draws people to him and he is able to wisely share words of life, encouragement, refreshment to them. The wise, righteous person is rare and valuable and the type of person we should all seek to become.

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Related Scriptures: Psalm 1:1-3; Jeremiah 17:8; Ezekiel 17:8; Revelation 22:2

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“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” – Psalm 1:1-3

Proverbs 10:4 “Diligence Making Lasting Wealth”

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”

Typically this verse is viewed in terms of monetary status. If you are lazy and deceitful, you become financially poor. If you are diligent, you will become rich. You reap what you sow. However, believers should perhaps view this verse from the standpoint of winning souls and sharing the good news of salvation, for riches are fleeting, but the souls of men are forever. The Christian who does not win souls has a spiritual poverty that is much, much worse than any material poverty. To see friends and coworkers every day, knowing that at any moment they could die and spend eternity suffering in hell, and not tell them how to avoid this terrible, eternal destination is to be spiritual bankrupt. But the Christian who diligently shares the gospel and leads another person to the foot of Calvary’s Cross and the unconditional love of Christ has riches beyond compare, not just in this lifetime, but for all eternity.

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Related Scriptures: Daniel 12:3; Matthew 4:19; John 4:36; 1 Corinthians 9:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; James 5:20

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“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise.” – Proverbs 11:30