Proverbs 21 is like a throw down between good and evil, true wealth and true poverty, wicked and wise, righteous and proud, desire and motive, and the lazy and the diligent. It sweeps across the page like a machete cutting tall grass. It doesn’t allow any chance of evil intentions to be misconstrued as good deeds. What we think is right may be wrong in the eyes of our Lord. Proverbs 21 is a good resource to turn to if you are unsure.
Here are just a few versus:
21:4 “Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.”
21:6 “Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.”
21:16 “The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.”
21:17 “Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.”
21:25 “Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.”
21:31 “The horse is prepared for the day of the battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.”
Sometimes I love to see our God as a sweet, loving Father who gives great big hugs. The truth is as our Father, He also has to give us direction, wisdom and discipline in order for Him to do a great work in us. Our skeletons need to be exposed and our hearts need to be searched. What is done in the dark has to be brought into the light. The pain this will bring is shadowed by the peace we will gain if we open our hearts to the Lord.
Let God search your heart and your desires today. Give it to Him and ask for His wisdom. We can trick ourselves into thinking our desires and intentions are for good, but your Father is the only one who can read your heart.
Give it to Him today, and let Him do a great work in you.