Proverbs 16:1-9

As sinful human beings, we enjoy being in control. Even if we cannot control, we would like to think we are in control of the situation. But here in Proverbs 16:1-9, we are told that God is in ultimate control of all situation, no matter how much we have in control. So here we can learn 3 things summed up in 3 phrases: (1) trust in God’s outcome, (2) “just do it!” and (3) do the right thing.

1 Trust in God’s Outcome

What does it mean for us to trust in God’s outcome? In this passage, we are told in verse 1 that “the plans of the heart belongs to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” Verse 4 becomes even more shocking because it says everything has its purpose, including the day when wicked people receive their deserved punishment. But what does all these have to do with our lives? It reminds us that we are not in ultimate control of all things, but God is. Because we are finite and God is so much wiser than us. But does it mean we are not responsible?

2 “Just do it!”

Yes, we are nonetheless responsible for all our actions as well. This is a very famous line from Nike, but it rings true for all of us. We have already read that God is in control of every outcome. However, we are still responsible for doing what we have to do because God uses us to accomplish His outcomes. Verse 3 tells us “commit your work to the Lord” We have to plan as well. We cannot blindly say “God is in control” and not do anything about it. This passage itself reminds us that we have to do something as well! In other words, we have to play our part in doing what we need to do. Of course, we do it by committing our work to the Lord, trusting Him. How then should we “do it”?

3 Do the right thing correctly

We have to do the right thing correctly as well. We plan and we execute our plans, but we do so in a humble spirit trusting God. Verse 5 tells us that “everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord.” As we do what we are called to do, we don’t do it in the spirit of pride. But we do so in the spirit of humility, trusting God to bring the final outcome. Verse 6 also commands us to fear the Lord, because it is by fearing God where we turn from evil. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom as well! Verse 7 says when we please God, He will even make our enemies to be at peace with us. Lastly, Verse 8 reminds us that “better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.”

In conclusion, let us ask God to give us wisdom in navigating different plans in our lives. As we plan our lives, may we remember that God is in control and that He has the final outcome. At the same time, we should never use God’s control over all matters as an excuse to be lazy, but we should just do it. Above all, let us do the right thing correctly. Let us fear God and ask Him for wisdom as we navigate through different parts of our lives. As you pray, ask God to help you in these 3 areas: (1) to trust Him for all outcomes, (2) the diligence to carry out our plans, and (3) to have God-fearing wisdom in carrying out the different plans.

Hon Sir Neng

xxx

箴言16：1-9

作为有罪的人，我们喜欢控制自己的生命。即使我们无法控制，我们也想以为我们可以控制局势。但是在箴言16：1-9中，我们被告知，无论我们有多少控制权，上帝都将最终控制一切情况。所以在这里我们可以学习的3件事：（一）相信上帝的控制，（二）做好我们的本分，（三）正确地做正确的事。

（一）相信上帝的控制

对于我们信任上帝的控制是什么意思呢？在这段经文，我们在第1节读到 “心中的筹谋在乎人，舌头的应对出于耶和华。” 第4节变得更加令人震惊“耶和华造万物各适其用，就是恶人也为祸患的日子所造。” 但是所有这些与我们的生活有什么关系？它提醒我们，上帝掌控但我们没有万能的最终控制权。因为我们是有限的，上帝比我们智慧得多。但这是否意味着我们不负责任？

（二）做好我们的本分 (just do it!)

尽管如此，我们仍然对我们的所有行为承担责任。这是耐克公司非常著名的引用句 (just do it!)，但对我们所有人来说都是如此。我们已经读到，上帝控制着每一个结果。但是，我们仍然有责任做我们必须做的事情，因为上帝利用我们来完成他的结果。第3节说到“你所做的，要交托耶和华，你所谋的，就必坚立。” 我们还必须计划。我们不能盲目地说“上帝掌控”，也不做任何事情。这段经文提醒我们，我们也必须拿起责任！当然，我们是通过将工作交托给主，信任主来实现的。那么我们如何做我们的本分呢？

（三）正确地做正确的事

我们必须正确地做正确的事。我们计划并执行计划，但是我们以谦卑的心来相信神的掌控。第5节说到“凡心里骄傲的，为耶和华所憎恶；击掌保证，他难免受罚。” 当我们是不是应着骄傲的心来做为我们的本分。我们应当一个谦卑的心来相信神掌控着所有，带来最终结果。第6节也命令我们敬畏耶和华，因为“敬畏耶和华的，远离恶事。”。敬畏耶和华是也是智慧的开端。第7节也说到“人所行的若蒙耶和华的喜悦，耶和华也使仇敌与他和好。” 来带最后，第8节也说到“少获利，行事公义，强如多获利，行事不义。”

最后，让我们请上帝赐予我们智慧，使我们行走我们的生命。当我们计划自己的生活时，让我们记得上帝在掌控之中，并且他会完成他的结果。同时，我们不应该以上帝对所有事情的掌控为借口懒惰。但我们必须做好我们的本分。然后，让我们正确地做正确的事情。当我们穿越人生的不同部分时，让我们敬畏上帝并向他祈求智慧。当你祈祷时，请神在这三个方面帮助你：（一）相信祂的一切掌控，（二）努力执行我们的计划，(三) 有一颗敬畏神的心来成全所有的计划。

韓思能