THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:

Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE

Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

PROVERBS

CHAPTER 16

1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

If a man prepares his heart to seek God, then his tongue will reveal that fact in his speech. The OPPOSITE is also true!

Every man, in and of himself, thinks he is "OK" and judges himself based on the lives of others around him. However, the real JUDGMENT (God's judgment) is of the spirit of man. It is the intent and purposes of man that God judges, not whether one man is "OK" in comparison to another.

The proper manner to determine that our thoughts are in proper perspective is to "Commit" our "works unto the LORD!" Determining to follow God's will results in thoughts that plan and coordinate the life to please Him.

4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

As Solomon once said, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Even the wicked will please God when they are eternally separated from Him.

Certainly there is going to be a final judgment day. Everything in this Bible is true, and God certainly points to a day when all men will be judged. Even though men conspire to do evil together, and no one else may know it, GOD knows it!

Only by God's mercy and through the truth of Jesus Christ can man be purged of his sins. Let us be sure then that we "fear God" and beg His forgiveness for sins. Also, let us be sure and remember He is God, and knows all that is in our hearts. This should deter us from evil.

7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

If a man's heart is truly set on pleasing God, then God will cause him to have "rest" from his enemies. That doesn't mean he won't HAVE enemies. And it doesn't necessarily mean that he will be free from trouble caused by enemies. But it does mean that God will see to it that the man who tries to please HIM will have PEACE!

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. 9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

To have all the wealth in the world, and not have God is to lose one's greatest possession: his SOUL! (See Matthew 16:26, and Mark 8:36)

Upon considering verse 9, we must resolve a conflict in our personal being. The conflict deals with the question, "Is God in CONTROL, or NOT?"

We plan many things in our lives. But God is the One in control of whether we live or die. Thus all that we plan depends ultimately upon God's CONTROL!

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. 11 A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work. 12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. 14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. 15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

God is the One Who ultimately decides the leaders of government. I know we depend upon the popular vote in America, and other nations depend upon regal rearing, or heirarchy. But God is the One Who is actually in CONTROL.

The POWER of a king is discussed in verses 14 - 15. They have the power of life and death (physically) of their subjects.

Now that makes the accountablity for kings and leaders much greater. They will answer to God for all the ways they have treated the people of the kingdom or nation.

It behooves kings and leaders then to demand just treatment in all the nation. It is also to their blessing to seek out those who will speak righteousness.

16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! 17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

If a man provides for his family according to God's direction (1Timothy 5:8), then he should seek God's WISDOM more than riches. Providing more worldly goods for the family is not always the best policy. A man should be more concerned about providing CHRIST and God's WISDOM for his family.

Evil is associated not with riches themselves, but with the PURSUIT of riches (1Timothy 6:10). Traveling the "road of life" which pleases God and separates one from evil is a HIGHER ROAD!

18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

Acting in pride results in confrontation and conflict. Acting in pride is acting in trust of self and not considering the facts surrounding a situation.

The better manner of handling a situation is to be "humble" in heart and handle a matter "wisely." Trusting in God and seeking His guidance in every situation brings peace to the soul.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Those who seek God's guidance are wise indeed. Their words are a "wellspring of life" and will help others. Their desire to please God "teacheth" the mouth to speak according to God's will and not according to the way of self. They will have "pleasant" words because they will be words of wisdom and give "health" to those who hear them.

25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

This is a repeat of Proverbs 14:12. Let me say that when God REPEATS something it is important!

To live according to man's standards and reasoning without faith and trust in Jesus leads to eternal death.

26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

Our desire to work comes from our desire to eat. God has decreed that we shall only find bread at the result of "SWEAT!" (See Genesis 3:19)

Our desire to labour for God also stems from our desire to eat. It is the desire to share in the blessings of God that come from being His servant.

If a man will make God His business, God will make the man His business!

27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. 28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

A person who is not determined to live for God is determined to live for self. He, then, will constantly be dealing in SIN!

The word "froward" here means perverse or fraudulent. This type of person "soweth" strife between friends with GOSSIP!

The word "violent" (verse 29) refers to falsehood with malicious intent. The reference is to a person who determines to defraud his neighbor with intent of personal gain.

That kind of person will go to sleep at night planning and devising fraud (verse 30).

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Gray hair is a "crown of glory" when the person is trying to please God. The gray head reflects age and thus wisdom. But a person who has gray hair without God is not wise even though he might have much age and experience.

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Only a very strong person could take over a city. But the person who has rule over his anger is even stronger than a man who could take over a city!

33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

The "lot" was used to make decisions. Usually stones were used in a small bag or cannister type holder. The stones were shaken, and a question asked. The answer depended upon how the stones came out of the holder. ((See Exodus 28:30 for the origination of the urim and thummim in decision making by the High Priest of Israel.))

Verse 33 refers to the fact that man HAS the lot, and can ask the questions - but the decision is of the LORD!

This is a wonderful conclusion to the chapter. God IS in control!

PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.