Chapter 16

Proverbs 16 (Linda)

"All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives." Proverbs 16:2 NASB

A definition for the word motive is: something, as a need or desire, which causes a person to act.

Each of us does acts of kindness that must be good, if we aren’t in any way breaking the law. So, why do we do as we do? What is the reason we do anything? It is the “WHY” not the “WHAT” that makes the difference.

"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NASB

"So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” 1 Samuel 16:12 NASB

God rejected seven of Jesse’s sons, but accepted David, the youngest. Yet David is described as handsome with beautiful eyes but Samuel saw him as a boy, still God was not looking at his outward appearance. David’s heart was to please and honor God, and God knew it.

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of the soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 NASB

Don’t you see? God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of every heart.

Let’s look at Psalms 19:7-14 NASB...

"The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the dripping of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; then I will be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."

David wrote this Psalm with his heart intent on worship and with a trust that never changed before the Lord. David gave all glory to his Father and God in this passage and his wisdom and understanding of Him was deeper than most, even to this day.

King David had a relationship with our Father in heaven that reached into what we know to be New Testament times. An intimate relationship with God, that fulfilled the law of his time and reached beyond the veil of the temple into forgiveness and grace?

We see Solomon repeating David’s words in Proverbs 16, so we know he heard his father David, but yet Solomon is not spoken of, as was David in the Scriptures. Each of us has to stand before our Father and God for our own actions and the intent of our own hearts.

May the intent of our hearts be found before the Lord to be pure and clean, and as David said, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”