Proverbs 16:1-9 – Living a life under God

God, our Heavenly King, is sovereign and He is in control. That’s great news for us who believe and trust in Him. He has created man with the capacity to think and make decision. It’s true that He has created all human beings with a free will and the capacity to make choices. It is also He who has given man talents and abilities. While man does have the capacity to plan and think, it is only with God’s gift can his plan be articulated and made clearly known.

Verses 2-4 tell us that since God is in control, He does test the motives of man. Though man has the capacity to think and plan, his perspective and revelation is not wholistic. Only God has a wholistic perspective and He alone knows the end from the beginning. Man’s knowledge of things is progressive. He knows only in stages. Therefore, when he plans, he may be blind to his own flaws and thus makes it based on his own seared conscience. But whatever his plan may be, his motive cannot escape the sight of God. No amount of justifying he gives can ever mar God from seeing the true motive. He will weigh not only what can be seen but also what cannot. God knows the intention behind every deed and even those that are cleverly camouflaged from others. Believers should take heed of verse 3 that calls us to submit all our plans to God. Assess them in the light of the value He has set in His Word. It is only when our plans are aligned with His will that they will be established. It is clear that everything in life has a purpose set by the LORD. He has everything set in motion in order to fulfil His purpose. Even the portion of the wicked is set. In God’s reckoning the wicked are destined for trouble.

Verses 5 and 6 not only show us what to do with sin but also how to avoid it. They tell us that God can see our attitude. He accepts the humble. But He is disgusted by the proud and conceited, even those who practice false modesty. All these attitudes do not escape His sight, and will not go unpunished. But God will deal graciously with those who acknowledge their flaws and turn to make peace with Him. And when they practise mercy and faithfulness in place of sin and conceit, God will forgive their iniquities and cover their guilt. It is true that when we honour and revere God we will shun evil. The clearest evidence of one who fears the Lord is his departure from every evil deed. Such a person will do things to please the Lord. These verses not only show us what to do with sin but also how to avoid it.   

In verses 7-8 we are given tips on how to live a winsome life. It all begin with our relationship with the LORD. When we are in right relationship with Him, we will have a life that’s peace loving. We seek to live amiably with others. Such a lifestyle is attractive to others, even to the non-believers. One who is at peace with God also looks at life with perspective. He is not tempted by unrighteous gain. He learns to be contented with the little he earns honestly. He does not need plenty to enjoy life and would rather have little and be honest before God. Such a person has no desire to have plenty to impress men but is disconnected with God. He will not act duplicitously in order to have wrongful gains. He would rather be honest even if he makes little. He is motivated by the desire to please God.

Bear in mind that God is in sovereign control. When we are in relationship with Him, He has our interest at heart. He has given us the liberty to plan and the freedom to choose. But because He loves us He will guide our steps so that we will reach His intended purpose for us in life. Remember that hard moments of life are often God’s corrective measures to get us on the right track. It may be difficult but we will understand it all by and by. In 9 verses, we are exhorted to yield to God and live under His divine direction. Our destiny is guaranteed when we choose to yield to God. Let’s press toward the mark of God’s high calling!