Proverbs 16:3, Guidance – The Practical Side
October 15, Proverbs 16:3
Matt. 6:24-34; 2 Cor. 10:5 “How serious for the believer is an unsettled mind!”
Guidance – The Practical Side
Have you asked, in a moment of trial, “Can God really care about my problems or my needs?” Note carefully what our Proverb says. Commit (roll) thy works unto the Lord. That’s our personal surrender first. Then thy thoughts (plans) shall be established. That’s the practical outcome. The sequence is vital. First, surrender; then your thoughts will be established. Proverbs distinguish between the thoughts of the wicked (15:26), and the thoughts of the righteous (12:5; 21:5).
1. Reversed by God’s Word: Sinning man rejected God’s thoughts for Satan’s lie (Isa. 65:2)! Redeemed man has returned to “thinking God’s thought after Him” (Isa. 55:7). Christianity must be seen as living obedience to the Lord. If we are going to think God’s thoughts then we must bring every thought to His Standard. Sinful man’s thoughts are opposed to God’s. They have to be reversed! How can we expect His guidance and control if we are not walking according to His revealed Will in Holy Scripture? Paul says this means casting down imaginations (sinful reasoning), and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. How important, then, is our time spent in God’s Word! This is our daily reporting for duty to receive our Great Commander’s instructions for the day. No wonder the devil does all he can to keep the Bible collecting dust.
2. Revived by God’s Witness: This refers to the blessed ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is the One who is uniquely the witness to God’s work in the world. He witnesses daily in the believer’s life confirming his or her adoption into the family of God. We also need the Spirit’s reviving work in our hearts and lives. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Rom. 8:14-16). With the confusion abroad today, we must repeat, the Holy Spirit never contradicts His written Word. We may not find a verse to guide us in every situation, but as the Author, He is also the infallible Authority for understanding what He meant the Scriptures to teach us. Thus He guides us when we wait on Him, even when we do not see His purpose at a given moment in time. This is why His leading is often clearer as we look back, amazed at what He has done.
3. Restored by God’s Wisdom: James 1:5 is the key verse here. This is the promise of wisdom for every time of asking. It is God’s provision for all times and every need. This Book teaches that Wisdom is simply “God’s knowledge practically applied.” Jesus said the wise are those who Do as well as Hear God’s Wisdom! Even when we have the facts, we need the wisdom to make the right decisions. Then, indeed, our thoughts will be established. Remember, God speaks through some humble Christian as much as through the learned theologian!
Thought: Christianity is obedience from start to finish.
Prayer: “Speak, Lord, for this servant wants to hear and obey.”