Proverbs 21 - 8.1.25

Scripture: Proverbs 21:2

A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart

Observation

In the first line of the verse, a person may think their own ways are right, we see in this political climate, we see many political leaders say they have the answers to our problems. They also say that the other side is part of those problems. In the news media and social media, people voice their opinions on who is right. In Church we see this in our tithes and offerings that we give according to what we feel instead of what God asked us for. How about our time, we give the Lord so little like prayer and reading the scriptures.

As a father, there were lots of times I thought I was doing things right. As a manager at work, there are many times I felt I was doing things right. It is easy to think we are right. As a Christian, we can especially think we are right thinking we have God to back us up. So when we think we are right, the scripture in Isaiah 64:6 states “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

In the second line of Proverbs 21, “but the LORD weighs the heart”, God sees our heart. Are we honoring God? Are we humbly seeking him? Are we giving him our time? Are we honoring him with our provisions? Do we love God, and love people unconditionally? We see in 1st Samuel 16:7 that the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

Application

Starting the day with the Lord in prayer and with scripture can calm the heart before the storm of the day. If you have the means to listen to worship music throughout the day, it can help keep you in focus with the Lord. The following verses talks about how we could move our heart towards the Lord:

Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Psalm 139:23-24 - “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Romans 12:2  - “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 - “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Prayer

Dear Lord, Search my heart, help me not lean on my own understanding. Let me be slow to speak. Forgive me when I say what is right in my own eyes, when I do not seek you first. Let me seek you with all things whether it be family, work, finances, entertainment and even your Word. Holy spirit, free my heart from my own understanding. Thank you for loving me Jesus. Amen

- Robert Oberg