Day 159 – Proverbs 16-18

Talking Points

• People are notorious for wearing masks or pretending to be something we aren’t. God is not fooled. He tests the heart, even weighing our motives. I understand why David, aware of the condition of his own heart, cried out, “Create in me a clean heart” (Psalm 51:10).
• “Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established” (16:3). This isn’t a blanket promise obligating God to prosper whatever cause we take up. Rather, it is a call to line the work of our lives up with His plans. Is it His will, for His glory, serving His purpose?
• God speaks more to the issue of pride, saying He hates it. It leads to poor decisions built on poor motivations. Pride leads to a fall and even to destruction. Ultimately, the decision to reject God is steeped in pride.

Thoughts

My all-time favorite Christmas movie ends with the quote “No man is a failure, who has friends.” God, in His wisdom, tells us the blessing of a friend. He tells us of a friend who sticks closer, even than a brother. He tells us that such a friend loves at all times. Good times. Hard times. All times.

Look at how God describes this relationship. The Hebrew word for love means “to adore, to hold affection for, to consider as dear.” How amazing — a person who loves us, not in spite of who we are, but for who we are. Then, there is the Hebrew word for friend. It translates, “a companion (one you share time with), a fellow.” A fellow is defined as “one who is the same as,” and exists in a reciprocal relationship. It means “cut out of the same cloth.” So, this word God chose means a person who shares both your time and your heart. That is a friend!

Lord, thank you for Your gift of a friend. Thank you for a person to love and to be loved by in all times. And, may the fruit of our friendships point to the gracious God who infinitely loves at all times!