Proverbs 16:7
We
don’t have to agree with each other in order to get along. We can choose to not
bring up certain topics so as to keep the peace. We can tip toe around
wondering if we will hit a relationship landmine today. Remember, it does take
two people to make a relationship work.
But
this is not what our proverb emphasizes. This is human effort at avoiding
fights. Our proverb says that when the LORD is pleased with how we are living
that He makes our enemies come and make peace with us. Our enemies have a
change in heart. Instead of wanting to destroy us, they choose to initiate a
new relationship of peace. They don’t necessarily stop being our enemies. They
stop fighting against us.
You
might question what good is that. They are not on our side. We have not persuaded
them of the error of their ways. They have not joined us in pursuing righteousness
and holiness.
Sometimes
it is helpful to just have the battle stop. If you are not having to expend
energy protecting yourself from their attacks, important work can get
completed. Being able to shift protective activities to productive activities
can make all the difference.
When
the LORD sees us walking in obedience, this proverb states that the LORD takes
pleasure in this. We can give the Creator of the universe pleasure! We obey and
He gets pleasure. And of course when we are doing the right things for the
right reasons, our brains reward us with pleasure feelings. Obedience is a win
win proposition. The LORD sees obedience and He gets pleasure. We obey and we
feel good about obedience.