Beyond Preparation - The One Year Daily Wisdom

Read Proverbs 16

We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.

Proverbs 16:1

One of the exciting evidences of a personal relationship with God occurs when he supplies us with an answer we know didn’t originate with us. Preparation, or gathering our thoughts, puts us in the best position to recognize God’s answers. But preparation does not eliminate our need for God to supply answers. The value of good preparation comes from the way it disciplines our heart and mind to respond to God’s direction.

There are two challenges behind this proverb. The first involves our willingness to do our best at preparation. The second involves our willingness to rely on God before, during, and after we have prepared. The discipline of studying these proverbs day by day represents significant preparation for wise living. But the appropriate application of that wisdom comes with God’s help. We must not forget the stunning truth that the wise collector of these sayings failed in many ways to rely on God. Solomon received many right answers, but he didn’t put some of them into practice. Gathering wisdom doesn’t automatically mean we are living wisely.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Thought precedes but doesn’t replace trust.

Dear Lord, please allow me to put into practice today a wise insight you have supplied in your Word.