Bible Verses: Proverbs

This week the Bible Verses series will focus on Proverbs 16-17. Next week will be the final week in the series on Proverbs and we will begin Ecclesiastes next. May the Lord open our hearts to be taught from the book of Proverbs and may we hold fast to the truth we discover.

Proverbs 16

• Verse 3

"Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established."
I believe this verse outlines a path in which we should follow and listen carefully to God's will. It speaks of our work being committed to the Lord, meaning we are not working for our own gain, but we are working for Him. Our hearts desire to serve Him in humility. Regardless of what we do we should work as if we work unto the Lord and commit our lives to serving Him.

• Verse 19

"It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud."
I believe this verse speaks regarding our attitude and our spirits. Pride might produce gain but it will not be good. Humility and Love are imperishable. May each of us humble ourselves and seek God, help others in need, and let go of pride.

• Verse 24

"Gracious words are like the honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."
I believe this verse invites the reader to be gracious to be loving and kind. It is so easy in any situation to be negative and pessimistic, but those qualities do not produce anything good. Rather may each of us change our outlook and offer freely love and compliments so that we encourage and lift each other up.

Proverbs 17

• Verse 27

"Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is man of understanding."
This verse is a very good reminder in times of heated debate or arugements. It is always good to restrain our words and anger and give the situation time before approaching it with a cool spirit. This is a hard verse to remember and to enact but it is vital. May we all seek to restrain our anger and approach one another in love.

• Verse 17

"A friend loves at all times and a brother was born for adversity."
This is a beautiful picture of fellowship. During the worst times a friend continues to love, and a brother was born for such a time as this. We were made to help each other when we are in a time of need. May each of us truly love through the worst times, and lift each other up in times of need.