THE LORD’S WILL PREVAILS

Passage: Proverbs 19:16-29

Key verse: 21

NIV

16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
    but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.(A)

17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,(B)
    and he will reward them for what they have done.(C)

18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death.(D)

19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
    rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,(E)
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.(F)

21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.(G)

22 What a person desires is unfailing love[a];
    better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.(H)

24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    he will not even bring it back to his mouth!(I)

25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
    rebuke the discerning,(J) and they will gain knowledge.(K)

26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother(L)
    is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,(M)
    and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.(N)

29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.(O)

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 19:22 Or Greed is a person’s shame
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

16 Whoever (A)keeps the commandment keeps his life;
    he who despises his ways will die.
17 (B)Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
    and he (C)will repay him for his (D)deed.
18 (E)Discipline your son, for there is hope;
    do not set your heart on (F)putting him to death.
19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
    for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom in (G)the future.
21 (H)Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but (I)it is the purpose of the Lord (J)that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
    and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord (K)leads to life,
    and whoever has it rests (L)satisfied;
    he will (M)not be visited by harm.
24 (N)The sluggard buries his hand in (O)the dish
    and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 (P)Strike (Q)a scoffer, and the simple will (R)learn prudence;
    (S)reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
    is (T)a son who brings shame and reproach.
27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
    (U)and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked (V)devours iniquity.
29 Condemnation is ready for (W)scoffers,
    and (X)beating for the backs of fools.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

What are practical ways that we can make good choices? Verse 16 says we revere and keep God’s commands. Next, we are kind to the poor. God sees and rewards those who do so (17). Fearing God and giving to the needy seem so simple, yet they are truly the marks of a great person.

Next, when we listen to advice and accept discipline, we can be free of the sins and bad choices that hinder our lives. Though we started out poorly, at the end, we will be counted among the wise (20). Real wisdom involves humbly repenting and accepting the Lord’s will. We can devise many plans, but only that which is in accordance with God’s will prospers (21). However, when we proudly go outside of God’s will, we forfeit grace.

People really desire to have unfailing love (22), which can only be found in a right relationship with Christ. The fear of God leads us to repent and to turn to Jesus, who loves us unconditionally. He blesses us to receive light and life when we trust in him. Then, we can see God’s will and we can do what is right. When we repent our pride and accept God’s plan, he does far more than we dream or imagine. We are captivated by the riches of his love! We have life to the full and are satisfied.

Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus’ unfailing love when I trust him and live for his will. Help me to repent my own proud plans and follow his way.

One Word: Those who do the Lord’s will prevail