Proverbs 16:3-5
Sometimes
it seems as though wickedness gets a free ride. In our political climate you
can say anything you want against a Republican and get away with it. You can
call them the most racist and bigoted things and no one says a word. They can
be painted as heartless evil people and the volume of sound overwhelms the
truth. Sometimes things just aren’t fair.
So
what do we as Believers do with injustice, wickedness, and vileness? How do we reconcile
evil seemingly getting a free ride? Our three proverbs today, taken together
give us a glimpse as some of the dynamics.
The
first is that evil will get punished. People may seem to be getting away with
things, but the LORD knows the reality. There is a day of judgment coming. It
may not be in this life, but every idle word will be accounted for. The fact
that the House passed budgets back in June and they sat in the Senate idle for
all these months is shameful. And then for the Republicans to get blamed for
not doing anything, doubly shameful.
But
I don’t want to make this about politics. That is just one example of injustice,
plans gone awry. How do we know if our plans will succeed? How do we know that
what we plan will get the LORD’s blessing? These proverbs state that the LORD
will establish our plans. All our plans? Even evil plans?
Our
plans must be in line with His character. He can’t bless evil. He may allow
evil for a season to accomplish His purposes, but that is not blessing. He is a
Holy God, and plans that bear His seal of approval must also be holy.
We
need to recognize that we can’t accomplish something without His blessing and
power, otherwise pride takes over. When we get a bloated sense of
self-importance, we play god. We stop listening to His direction and we become
open to other contrary voices.
I
suggest that we start with a growing, intimate relationship with the LORD,
learning to listen and submit everything to Him. Then begin to ask Him what He
wants us to do. Be open to creative and unusual things. He did make Iguanas
after all! Then as His plans become your plans, continue to listen and obey as
you step forward. Be ready for small course corrections that He gives. Give Him
the glory.