Heavy Heavy Proverbs

Let me tell you, the one liners in Proverbs weigh a ton! These little jems sound beautiful, but in just a few words, unload deep pieces of wisdom. One that spoke to me today deals with motives. I have been wrestling with this blog actually - wondering why the heck I am writing it. I should be satisfied with doing my devotionals on my own and should not need to share them on the web, even if this blog has no readers. : ) Instead of trying to figure out the answer myself, I looked to the Bible. 

Proverbs 16:1-9

"To man belong the plans of the heart

but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.

All a man's ways seem innocent to him; 

but motives are weighed by the Lord.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, 

and you plans will succeed.

The Lord works out everything for his own ends - 

even the wicked for a day of disaster.

The Lord detests all the proud of heart,

Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

...

In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps."

Okay, so motives are important - however there seems to be a simple aspect to determining whether your motives are true. Line 3 sums it up: "commit to the Lord, whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." 

Furthermore, I noticed something else in these lines from Proverbs. The last lines copied from chapter 16 state that a man desires and creates his plans in his heart, but the Lord chooses his steps. Joyce Meyers writes about this same aspect in a section of her book that deals with patience and following God's time line. "Whatever you believe God wants to do in your life, be patient as He brings it to pass. Eagerly embrace the times of teaching and preparation He takes you through, even when it seems painfully slow. Don't long for too much too fast, but be thankful every day that God is bringing growth, expansion, and new oppurtunities your way in His perfect timing."

Although I still am unsure about this one. I need the Lord's wisdom.