I really got a lot out of today's verse, and I hope that you will, too. I believe that the key to understanding what Solomon was trying to say, is the meaning of the word "devise" in the verse. The Hebrew root of this word is to scratch; it implies to plow, or to fabricate. It carries the negative implication, Matthew Henry's commentary mentions, of doing this in silence. Hmmmm . . . sounds like someone planning or scheming to me.
Have you ever known someone who thinks that they can get away with their sin? That somehow thinks they can scheme and devise a way to hide it from God? They think that they can fool God; they somehow think He won't know what they are up to. They continue to plot and plan and are smug in their belief that God can't see their sin, and won't know. Well, have we got news for them! The God that this verse is about won't have any trouble keeping up with their shenanigans:
Mat 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.And how about this one:
Amo 9:8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom . . .That doesn't leave a lot of room for outwitting God, does it? Now, let's look at the other side of the coin . . .
The flip side is in contrast to the ones who devise evil --- the ones who devise good! I think I would rather be one that scratches around, finding ways to do good, and show mercy, and love others. Wouldn't you? Look at the reward there . . . "mercy and truth." That's not just a theory, or guesswork; it's a promise from God.
Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;Yes, God is faithful; He is true to His word, and He has promised us mercy. You can hang your hat on that.
I always expect the best of someone and believe they are good until they prove me wrong. But, I don't know their heart until they reveal it to me. God knows our hearts whether we want to believe that or not. We can't hide it from him. He always knows our intentions.
ReplyDelete"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things." 1 John 3:20
"The good man out of the treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth what is evil." Luke 6:45
I don't scratch and devise ways to do either evil or good. But I do find myself wanting to do good. To make someone else smile or lighten their load. I like the feeling of knowing I made a difference in someone's countenance.
Good little ideas do come to me in the silence of my heart, but I am not always able to accomplish them. Mores the pity. I should be scratching out time to make sure I do accomplish them.
This goes back to what we talked about earlier...writing notes to someone, placing a call, checking on someone to see if they need anything, buying a little needed item for someone. The list is endless.
There was a time when I expected the worse right up front with people and I had to learn to love first and foremost. I am thankful for God's teachings
ReplyDeleteI have never thought about devising ways to do good. I am going to start that right now in my journal. Maybe it will keep me out of trouble!
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