WISDOM FOR TODAY – ROAD TRIP
- Planning Takes Time
Proverbs 16:16, 21-23 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! The wise in heart will be called understanding. And to speak in a pleasing way helps people know what you say is right. Understanding is a well of life to him who has it, but to speak strong words to fools is of no use. The heart of the wise has power over his mouth and adds learning to his lips.
Noah waited 120 years before the predicted rains arrived.
Abraham waited 25 years for a promised son.
Joseph waited 14 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
Job waited perhaps a lifetime, 60-70 years for God’s justice.
- His Path Is Better Than Our Own
Proverbs 16:1-4, 9, 17 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end. The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord shows him what to do. The road of the faithful turns away from sin. He who watches his way keeps his life.
God wants us to plan and take initiative, but it is so easy to leave Him out of the process. Even if we are certain that the goals we are setting are God honouring, this doesn’t mean we won’t try pushing them in our own strengths. A better approach is to ask God to direct us and help us each step of the way. We are completely dependent on Him for success and growth. We will at times fail, but we can rest knowing that He’s got us.
The Christian life is full of fresh starts. It is a life of continual repentance and faith. To grow spiritually is to depend on God more, not less. Our main goal should be to stay close to Him.