Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 19:20-23.
Listen to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the end of your life. There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the Lord which will stand. What is desirable for a person is to show loyal love, and a poor person is better than a liar. Fearing the Lord leads to life, and one who does so will live satisfied; he will not be afflicted by calamity.
This section of Proverbs teaches us about our plans and God’s plans for us. We all have our own idea of what we will do and what our lives will be like, but we need to see how our thinking fits into what God has in mind for us. We know that “it is the counsel of the Lord which will stand”.
If we listen to His word and live in it, God can use our gifts to spread His love in the world. He wants us to be part of what He is doing, revealing His truth to everyone. The best way for us to be happy is by aligning our thoughts and plans with His.
The proverb tells us “fearing the Lord leads to life and the one who does so will live satisfied”. Material possessions, power and status will never make us truly happy. Finding joy in our connection to Him rather than the things of the world is the only way we can find peace.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we chase what is worthless rather than obey and live in Your love. Bless us to be Your people, called by name to share Your love with everyone. Amen.
