June 2, 2020

The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!

Chapter 16 of Proverbs highlights the sovereignty of God multiple times. Verse 9 states that “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps”, and in verse 33 the author says that “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” We see that everything, from the grand scale of cosmic history, to the path that our lives take, to even something as small as the roll of a die is determined according to the purpose and plan of God! His authority and power are so complete that no event or circumstance or situation lies outside of it!

Many throughout the course of history have balked at the idea of God being sovereign, or even asserted that if God is sovereign then he cannot be good: how could a God who is both good and sovereign allow such pain and suffering to exist in the world? We might think along similar lines, or perhaps think that God’s sovereignty is bad news for us because it means that we aren’t really the ones in control.

These are not easy questions to answer, but we can rest assured from God’s Word that, for those of us who are in Jesus Christ, God’s complete sovereignty is a very good thing! It is only by God’s sovereignty that we can know that there is reward in following Him!

God’s sovereignty means that He can and will deliver on every single promise He has made to us; it means that He has controlled the events of human history in order to bring about our salvation and redemption in Jesus Christ; it means that the end of the story has been decided from before it began, and it ends in victory and eternal joy for all who are in Christ!

Celebrate God’s sovereignty today, and choose to see it as the precious promise that it is!

Proverbs 16

16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
    even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
    be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
    he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man plans his way,
    but the Lord establishes his steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
    and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him;
    his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor
    and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things;
    he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.
32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is from the Lord.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Family Discussion Question:

  • What does it mean that God is sovereign? 
  • Why is the sovereignty of God such a hard thing for people to accept or understand? Why should it be a thing that we celebrate and take comfort and joy in?

25 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-June 2”

  1. Dear Heavenly Father,
    I praise You as the Creator and Master of our world. Your name is above every name. I want You to be soverign over my life. You have made plans for me and I need You to show me the way to go to fulfill those plans. Please guide me today and lead me in the steps that I should take so I should falter. In Jesus ‘ name. Amen.

    2. Dear Lord please be the soverign in my life. I need you as my Lord and Savior to be the soverign over my life. Please guide me and show me what you would want for my life. You created me in your image do with me as you will. In Jesus Name A. Amen.

  2. Thank you lord for being sovereign over my life. Forgive me for my sins. I know that you control all things and your love will prevail in this life. Bring peace and hope to our country at this challenging time.

  3. Proverbs 16:29 speaks of the riots and what is happening in our cities.
    “A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.”
    Father God, have your way with the “for hire” violent men and the ones who fund them. We ask you to save our land from their scourge. We are humble and on our knees for our beautiful country this morning. In Jesus holy name we pray. Amen.

    F

    1. Amen! Lord please have mercy. Bridle the evil and lead them to do good. We turn to you and beg that you heal our land. Let us look to each person through the eyes of Christ – through the red blood that runs through our veins and Jesus redeeming blood. Let this red blood be the color that brings us together today! Be glorified!

  4. Oh, maker of the universe, who am I that you think of me, that you take note of me, that you love me? Thank you, LORD, for your abundant grace and mercy towards me. Bless me this day and enlarge my territory. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Open my eyes that I might see evil and run from it so as not to cause pain. Oh, thank you for my eyes. Now…let’s be going to find one more for Jesus, your son. Amen.

  5. I’m so thankful for God’s sovereignty. He is in control. He is the Creator of the universe and Creator of life — the One who tells the oceans how far they can come. He can be trusted.

    We can put all anxiety and worry aside today and live with full assurance that God is at work for our good as we trust in Him.

    Lord, thank You for being sovereign. I rest in You today knowing You’re in control. You love us, died for us, and are with us through all the many seasons of our lives.

    In Your precious name,
    Amen.

  6. Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! Roman’s 11:33

    1. Lord, thank you for being sovereign over my life because everything you do or allow in my life is always for my own good. Even though it’s difficult sometimes to have your way in my life because of the sin nature warring inside me, I know that if I yield to Your will, I will come out victorious in the end. Thank you because You’re not only sovereign and just, You’re also loving to the point of shedding Your own blood so I can have eternal life with You. Amen!

  7. Thank you for directing my steps. As your word says in Ephesians 3:20, “God you are able to do way more than I ask or can think.” I thank you for that promise today.

  8. My words and actions will be pleasing to the Lord. I will watch my way and preserve my life. I will be slow to anger, of a humble spirit and trust in the Lord.

  9. Thank you dear God for your sovereign power. I lift my son in law and his fellow officers before your throne as he dodges rocks and bottles. Protect them as they stand up to injustice. Give him the physical rest he needs working so many hours protecting the citizens and businesses of Austin. I pray that you are there – just as the Psalm states “the lot is cast and every decision is from the Lord.” I call on this sovereignty ask your protection for those on the front lines today. Those who are fighting for justice and those who are fighting this virus – they need your protection and guidance. Be with the innocent victims. Place your saints on their paths to encourage them in their battle and loss. Please hear our prayers dear Lord – the prayers of parents, grandparents, daughters and sons of the Most High King. Heal our Land!
    “

    1. Joining you in prayer for those who protect the innocent and who are on the front line of defense. Amen.

  10. Heavenly Father,
    Your sovereignty is being exhibited today with what is going on in this world. You are allowing the things to happen because of the sins in this world. Wrong has never overruled right and you will always get the glory no matter what. I pray that like your word states love conquers all and that although we may not like what is happening with this virus and unrest we need to recognize that you got this. We need to also see things from your perspective. Jesus, please forgive us for not loving each other like you love us. Forgive us for being such a sinful world and draw us all back to you and your biblical principles. Give us the wisdom to cry out to you in trouble times and to accept whatever your sovereign will is for the world. Remind us that as Christians we don’t lose and we are on the winning team but also show us what we should be doing during this chaos that is currently happening at this time. I pray that we will allow others to see our love for you and our love for others because only love will heal us. I pray these things in Jesus name and looking forward to seeing you face to face. Amen.

  11. 31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.
    Thank you Lord for the life you have given me, that I do not deserve. Continue to give me health, so that I can continue to seek you, grow in wisdom for your kingdom and your glory.

  12. Dear Father, You specifically speak to me every day. You are sovereign! I pray dear Lord, that these words will get through to our nation’s leaders…somehow get through to all of them, including our president.

    Prov 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
    Prov 16:24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Prov 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

    Please dear Father, anoint those in positions of authority a large measure of Your grace & compassion…and bring restoration to our land.

    Thank You for these words of wisdom from Proverbs Father.

    Amen

  13. Thank you Lord for missionary the Best in South Africa verse 23 “Wise of heart” who in this time of shut down you planted in his heart to have the NT read in its entired over social media which took 5 days with 60 individuals from different parts of the world.

  14. “Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts the Lord. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

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