LifeTalk Podcast
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LifeTalk Podcast
Pastor Podcast - Proverbs 16 - Roll Your Plans
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Your calendar is full, your mind is racing, and you’ve got plans that feel urgent and nonnegotiable. Proverbs 16:1–9 challenges that posture without shaming it: we truly do plan, but the Lord establishes our steps. We sit down with Pastor Mark to go deeper on Sunday’s message and face one of the most practical questions in Christian living: how do God’s sovereignty and our responsibility fit together when real decisions are on the line?
We talk through what “commit your work to the Lord” actually means, not a vague spiritual slogan, but surrender, rolling the weight of your work, future, and identity onto God. Pastor Mark shares a story about Charles Spurgeon repeating, “I believe in the Holy Spirit,” on the way to preach, a vivid picture of dependence over self-reliance. Along the way we connect this to abiding in Christ, trusting God’s timing, and letting Scripture shape the way we plan, lead, and serve.
Then the passage gets uncomfortably personal: “the Lord weighs the spirit.” We unpack how pride and self-justification can sneak into ministry, success, and even worship, and why God’s conviction is meant to lead to repentance and freedom, not condemnation. We also explore Proverbs 16:6 on atonement and the fear of the Lord, trace the theme through the gospel, and look at Joseph’s story as proof that God can mean good even when others mean evil.
We close with the kind of wisdom that hits your work life and finances fast: better a little with righteousness than big revenue with injustice, plus how pleasing the Lord shapes our relationships, conflict, and peace. If you want Bible-based guidance on planning, surrender, ethics, and spiritual growth, hit play, then subscribe, share, and leave a review so more people can find the show.
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Intro music by Joey Blair
Why We Go Deeper Midweek
SPEAKER_01What's up, Lifehouse Family? We are coming to you by audio today, our weekly time with Pastor Mark to sit down and go into the sermon. Our our video team is taking a week off, you know, going on sabbatical on us. But uh it's a shame because you look so good today. Oh man, my hair, I'm having a good hair day. And now I gotta mess it up with these headphones. Only I get to enjoy it today, but oh well. But we want to keep coming to you and uh just our church family. We love this time each week just to take Sunday's message, Sunday's passage, just to continue to go deeper, go a little further, continue the discussion. You know, 35 minutes is like really never enough, right, Pastor?
SPEAKER_00Never. And it's really been a very rewarding, uh blessed experience for me. You know, I've studied the Proverbs, I'm familiar with the Proverbs, you know, have read them over and over again, but in preparing sermons from these Proverbs, it's been kind of a different journey for me, just meditating on them, you know, in a d in a way that I haven't before. And it's just really been a blessing, you know, for me. And in particular this week, Proverbs chapter 16, verses 1 through 9.
Sovereignty And Responsibility In Tension
SPEAKER_00Why don't you read it?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, let's do it. It's actually, I would say too, like one of my favorite passages in Proverbs because it brings so much clarity into our relationship, right? Like how we see God, but how we see our role and the trust and everything.
SPEAKER_00And there, and it's both. So God is sovereign. You know, that I think that is something that I didn't really dive into on Sunday morning, but you know, we see God's sovereignty, you know, eight times in the nine verses, the Lord, capital L, capital O, capital R, capital D. So Yahweh is referred to, mentioned, declared, you know, honored. But there's also within this, so God's sovereignty, his control, his authority over everyone, everything. But at the same time, we also see in this our responsibility, right? We should plan, like we should steward well the opportunities that that the Lord places before us. So it but those work together. Ultimately, God's in control. So we're not just robots, we're not just chess pieces that he's moving around on a chessboard. We have a responsibility, we play a part, but ultimately God is over it all. He's sovereign over all. And there's a degree of complexity there that is to a degree beyond our comprehension that we have to accept by faith, but somehow both are involved in what takes place.
SPEAKER_01There's a lot in the Christian faith that I've heard well termed as like a tension, you know, where our minds and our finitude make it hard to comprehend, like the Trinity. You know, how is God three and one? Like we fully acknowledge we see it in scripture, but it can be difficult for us to fully understand. Same thing here, like God is fully in control, but we do have responsibility, like you said. And so they work together, but it's hard for us because of our human, you know, limited cognition that it makes it difficult, but we fully acknowledge God is saying right here.
SPEAKER_00But that's actually something to, I don't know, celebrate because exactly God is infinite. You know, we are finite, so his ways are higher than our ways, he is higher than us, and so to a degree, like I celebrate that fact. Like, like God is not someone, he's beyond me, beyond my even comprehension, and even his ways. And so, even though, so yeah, it's I would love to be able to fully comprehend and fully understand and know in the way that we will one day, right? But right now, I rest in the fact that my God is bigger than I can even imagine. And that doesn't frustrate me as much as it excites me. And I don't know, it's just amazing to think about. And so many of the concepts that we've been talking about, the Trinity, I I say it often that you know, there these are infinite realities described and communicated in finite terms to finite people with finite minds and limited perspective and comprehension. And so, you know, that that's we have to acknowledge that as we read and understand these truths that we so believe. I think C.
SPEAKER_01S. Lewis says it as God kind of lisps to us, you know, because we can't fully comprehend, but he gives us what we need to, you know, walk through. So I think that's I want to say that was C. S. Lewis who kind of explained it as like how God communicates with us because yeah, we couldn't fully grasp even if he did tell it all to us. Like it just would not, his mind, like you say, is infinite. That's what creation shows us. Like we can't even comprehend this fully, but he's given us enough to trust him. Absolutely. Yep. Revelation. Well,
Reading Proverbs 16:1 Through 9
SPEAKER_01cool. Well, reading through it, so this is Proverbs chapter three, verse 16. Yes, 16. Proverbs 16. Monday morning. I haven't the coffee's kicking in. 16, yes, one through nine. I'm looking at the right one here. It's a good thing we're not on video. Everybody be like, ah, what's going on? Chapter 16, verse 1 says, The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Everyone who is arrogant in the heart is an abomination to the Lord. Be assured he will not go unpunished. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps. Amen. God bless the reading of his holy words. Amen. The word of God for the people of God. Absolutely. Thanks be to God. I grew up in the Methodist church. That was a good thing. Yeah, that was uh when you had the scripture
Commit Your Work By Surrendering
SPEAKER_01readings. So but yeah, I think the points, you know, here, of course, our side, you know, committing, fearing, and pleasing, and then seeing the Lord who's weighing, atoning, and establishing. So yeah, just starting first few verses, as always in Proverbs, you could take each one, yeah, go a long way, but the first idea of committing our way to the Lord, but he's gonna weigh the motives, right? So how we look at that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, but really ultimately the exhortation here, commit. Like, so I I think that that can be confusing because we can think of the word commit and think along the lines of devoting, you know, something to the Lord, or you know, but really what it is is commit as in surrender, give over, you know, and really the the literal translation of the Hebrew word is to roll, like roll your works to the Lord, like give them all, like don't just and and even it's not just I I love the hymn, I mentioned it yesterday in the second service, you know, leaning on Jesus is a good thing to do, but not even merely leaning like you would lean on a crutch. This is more here. Like, this is like the exhortation here is to just put all the eggs in the basket that is Jesus, the the Lord. And I think about this like when I'm for exist, for example, preaching. And one example, Charles Spurgeon, one of our many people, love his preaching, his sermons. Actually, we've never actually had the opportunity to hear him preach because it was before we had technology like we do, but many of his servants' sermons are recorded and very profound. Uh, he was known as the Prince of Preachers. Uh history records him as such. But he used to pray every time he would walk up to the pulpit and say, I believe in the Holy Spirit, I believe in the Holy Spirit, I believe in the Holy Spirit, and thereby expressing, like in preaching, and clearly he was successful, his works were established, you know, but it was because he was committing his work of preaching, his service for the Lord, leaning on the Lord for everything. Like it wasn't, he wasn't digging into his own abilities, his own capacity. I'm sure that he prayed, I'm sure that he prepared and he studied diligently, fervently, stewarded well the opportunity to preach every time, but ultimately he was relying on trusting in the Lord, rolling it all into the Lord. Like if it was going to be a successful sermon, it's going to be because of the Lord. The Lord did what only the Lord could do. And this really aligns with John 15. And I was told by my kids yesterday that I misquoted and said Jesus 15.5. I don't know what I, you know, but John 15.
SPEAKER_02Right.
SPEAKER_00You know, Jesus tells his disciples, apart from me, you can do nothing. Charles Spurgeon understood that. That's what King Solomon was communicating here. Like, you know, apart from the Lord, you can do nothing, but in and through the Lord, in his strength and his power, you can do all things, endure all things, accomplish all things. And so I think that's really the exhortation here. You know, not necessarily just, you know, devote your works to the Lord or be faithful. It's no, like completely roll on to the Lord everything, your life, your body. I think this is what the apostle Paul is saying, and offer your body, like all of yourself to the Lord. Like lay it on the altar, roll it on, roll yourself on the altar to the Lord.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it really factors into how you view the future and how, again, we'll get into kind of of course the plans, you know, is part of this and committing the way, you know, which relates to the heart. Like, what are we seeking? What are we finding our value, our identity? If we haven't fully rolled that onto Christ, you know, we're still in this kind of push-pull, you know, with the flesh a lot of times. And I think that's we're starting, you know, we're learning through sanctification, but this is something to see God's ways as higher, better to where yeah, I want to give it to. I'd rather have what God would give me. And I think that's even, you know, of course, we look, you know, verse 8, better a little
God Weighs Motives Behind Our Service
SPEAKER_01with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. Like I would be content with whatever God decides because I know that's the right place. He won't give me something I can't handle. Right. Verses, you know.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, but there's also the there's also a warning in these three verses where you know it talks about how and reveals that the Lord weighs the spirit, you know. I mean, you know, we think that our motives are pure, like like we think that our heart is pure in wanting to perhaps even serve the Lord or you know, do something. But one of the things that I realize more and more as I continue to grow and mature in my faith, I'm so much more aware of you know, things like pride and selfish ambition, you know, that I thought and didn't realize were there. And if I'm not careful, like even quote unquote serving the Lord or worshiping the Lord can be about self-promotion and self-ex-exaltation. You know, and it's a humbling thing, you know. I mean, obviously, as a as a preacher, I stand before a lot of people, you know, on Sunday mornings and and I lead many people. And man, like I see my pride and how, man, to be lauded and applauded feels very good. Right. But God will share his glory with no one. And so we need to make sure that as we serve the Lord, in whatever capacity, that we're doing it to honor the Lord and not to exalt ourselves, not for ourselves to be lauded and applauded, not to get attention, not to earn money, you know. I mean, you know, I get a salary, you know, but that should never be my motivation to serve the Lord as a pastor. I'm thankful that the the, and it is biblical, right, to provide for pastors so that they can provide for their families and do what God has called them to do, but that should never be be my motivation. And so I do think what this passage is revealing is that the Lord sees and is aware of and knows what we may not even be aware of in the depths of our heart, to be humbled by that and ask the Lord. I love, I mentioned David's prayer, you know, search me, oh God, and know my heart. Try me, know my mind, see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting, lead me away from the wicked way, you know, the the selfish pursuit or a selfish ambition, and lead me in the everlasting way, the way that glorifies you, that's all about you, Lord. And so, yeah, I that's one of the that's one of the things that just really, you know, I've been meditating on and considering, and it's been helpful as I continue to serve the Lord and pray.
SPEAKER_01I think that's the Christian journey is God continues to show us those things a lot of times. We continue to learn the depth of our sin, the motives of our heart. God continues to kind of reveal that as we walk, and that's always that kind of sanctification process, the holiness that we recognize we don't have. We come by faith, but then God continues to bring us, you know, through that time, use those things where, and I thought this was the best way, but God chose me otherwise, and I learn to trust him more, as well as, like you say, recognize my motives are not, you know, like I think I'm doing the right thing, but God starts to reveal that. So I think the more we walk day by day, the more God reveals these things. Absolutely.
SPEAKER_00And it's and he does reveal those things. You know, I always say when when we know who God is, like it can feel discouraging sometimes. I know I get discouraged when I'm like, man, that pride is there. Like, why am I tempted, you know, with this pride? Or I can even assess like, why did I do that? Why did I respond to that person in that way? Why did I make that decision? And the Lord has even in recent times revealed, Mark, pride's there, you know, and like I'm like, man, and I can feel frustrated with myself, but at the same time, God reveals, you know, that problem, that sin problem, he also reveals his grace and his mercy and his great love and how he loves me in spite of me, and how his arms are open and you know, repent, you know, and and and I can find instead of condemnation, right? Romans 8.1, after Paul says, Oh wretched man that I am, he says in Romans 8.1, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. And so God lovingly reveals that sin, not so that we can feel terrible about ourselves, but that we can repent and turn to and commit our works unto the Lord and allow him to do in and through us what we cannot do ourselves in purity and sincerity and faithfulness and in true reverent fear for the Lord.
SPEAKER_01Scripture says repentance is a gift, you know, the gift of repentance for us to understand. I think it's again, I can't remember some of the quotes sometimes, but don't never underestimate the capacity of the human heart for self-justification.
SPEAKER_00Right.
SPEAKER_01You know, we always think that our ways are pure, we want to self-justify, we want to, you know, either I didn't mean to, you know, because I'm trying to justify my motives or whatever the case may be, we want to self-justify, but the more we come to Christ, the more we recognize stop self-justifying, repent, allow God to change you, which I think that's you know, as we're going through this passage too, I think is huge in verse six for a lot of people. When you are struggling, when you are dealing with things, how do we change? You know, a lot of people will not trust the Lord and say, I can't change, I can't, you know, change who I am, but we know that's not true biblically, and of course, here by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil. I think as you're repeating, you know, the fear of the Lord atones for that sin, that repentance. And if you truly want to change, it's beholding Christ, it's believing the gospel, it's getting that truth into, of course, the heart is a huge theme here. So that change process, like you're talking about, that revelation and truly turning is, I think, a huge theme here as well.
Fear Of The Lord And Atonement
SPEAKER_00Absolutely. Well, let's move on to the second point, right? So commit your work to the Lord who weighs the spirit, right? And then secondly, fear the Lord who atones for sin, right? So, yeah, I mean, it it acknowledges here. So, verse five says, Ever or the Lord has made everything for its purpose, verse four, even the wicked for the day of trouble. So God is sovereign over all, you know, everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord. Be assured he will not go unpunished. By steadfast love and faithfulness, iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil. And so, kind of acknowledging there that God sees and he knows he's sovereign over all. You know, I I even think one example that comes to my mind is Genesis 50 and the testimony of Joseph, right? The dreamer, and how his brothers wickedly and maliciously sold him into slavery, beat him. They didn't think, oh, we're serving the Lord because we know God's plan is for him. They didn't know what God's plan was for him, for Joseph, and that God would raise him up to be, you know, the second, the right-hand man to the Pharaoh in Egypt. They wanted Joseph out of the picture. They wanted to kill him because they were jealous of him. And so they did evil. But in Genesis 50, verse 20, at the end of Joseph's father's life, like the brothers are all scared because Joseph's father's gonna die, and they think, well, man, when when dad's out of the picture, Joseph's gonna uh enact revenge upon us. But he says, like, you don't have anything to worry about. Like, I know what you did, that you meant it for evil, I'm paraphrasing, but God meant it for good. And there was a purpose in and through all of it, a good purpose that many would be saved. And because of Joseph being where he was in the position that he was in, when there was that drought and when there was that famine, the people and their family would have otherwise died. But because he was in the position that he was in, God used him to save and continue on the lineage of what would eventually lead to the Messiah, right? Jesus.
SPEAKER_01I think that builds on that, like rolling your way. And yeah, Joseph would have probably never, he's also in prison from Potiphar's wife. Man, you just want to look at a life where somebody could have been like, uh, God, I'm done with this, but that kind of thing. Where are you, God? Roll the way, you know, and even Joseph says that, you know, like I recognize you meant this, but God was in control. So we see that.
SPEAKER_00God is sovereign. We need to remember that. Like, you know, we really we really do. I mean, the verses that come to my mind, familiar Romans 8.28, all things work together for good for those who love God and who are called according to his purpose. You know, it things may not feel good, things may not seem good, things may seem dark, but we need to remember that God is at work and that he's doing things, he's redeeming, he's restoring, he's sanctifying, you know. These are all good things, these are all good, blessed works that we want, you know, and so we're thankful for these things. And so instead of allowing our feelings to dictate, you know, what we believe, no, we cling to the truth that is revealed in scripture, that our God is good, that he's at work redeeming, doing good things, and he's over all of it.
SPEAKER_01And that's what will ultimately build our trust. And and again, that kind of change process within us, as we've seen God work that out, instead of like, God, why are you doing this? You start to approach it as looking for what God is doing, like, God, how are you going to use this in my life? Just had breakfast with a guy, and it was the worst day of his life, actually, is what transformed his life, you know, like coming back to the Lord and walking closer and depending on him, his sovereignty. He uses these things so we don't get too much involved in the world and those things that might take us away from him. So, yeah, we can continue to trust, continue to bring that truth, like you say, into the heart, which is a big theme.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely. Let's talk about verse six. That that that statement by steadfast love and faithfulness, iniquity, which is referring to sin, transgression, iniquity is atoned for. Like there's that word atone, forgiven, dealt with sufficiently, you know. Anything that you want to, you know, yeah.
SPEAKER_01I think that's the gospel, right? You know, this is God loved us, you know, while we were still sinners. This is, yeah, you want to see Jesus in the Old Testament. I think this is one of those where by steadfast love and faithfulness, now God pointing to how that was going to happen, the need for atonement that would be accomplished on the cross.
SPEAKER_00And the second half of that verse, verse 6 says, And by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. And so the the exhortation, the truth here is be faithful to the Lord, follow the Lord's steadfast love from the Hebrew word Hesed, which is loyal love, you know, and faithfulness, truth. Like we don't want to walk in falsehood and lies, lies and deceit. We want to walk in the truth. The truth will set you free, right? The gospel is the truth. And so, and by the fear of the Lord, we talked about what fear means. It's not just holy terror, right? It's terror, but also reverence and awe and wonder of the Lord. Like when we believe that he is who scripture reveals him to be, we're gonna turn away from evil and to him, and we're gonna live and walk in righteousness and do what's right and be faithful to the Lord. And so that that's what we don't want to be wicked, we don't want to be malicious, we don't want to be sinful, you know. We want to be in right relationship with the Lord, and that's what atonement is all about.
SPEAKER_01And starting to recognize what we talked about, God's ways are higher and better, right? So that reverence, like you say, we've talked a consistent theme, the fear of the Lord, I start to, yeah, Lord, I want to live according to, you know, we're not saved by the law, but we understand the law was given so we could understand and be holy as God is holy. So it gives us that direction for our life of, you know, of course, now the last point pleasing the Lord. Segwaying that well. If we want to please the Lord and have our steps established, it comes. From that reverence that comes from that respect in how we relate to God.
Pleasing God In Conflict And Peace
SPEAKER_01So kind of thoughts on the last point too.
SPEAKER_00Well, let's let's walk through each verse. So verse 7 says, When a man's ways please the Lord, he, that man whose ways please the Lord, makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. So one point to point out, or one is so this isn't, remember, these proverbs are not promises, like there are adamant promises that we can trust and cling to, but these are true principles that we can live by. Jesus his life pleased the Lord. This is my son with whom and in whom I'm well pleased. But he had many enemies, people were not at peace with him. But in general, when a man's ways please the Lord, when a man follows Jesus, when a man lives according to the commandments of the Lord, the law of the Lord, it brings about peace, you know, in life.
SPEAKER_01So and I would say too, people may be expecting the wrong kind of peace, that there's nothing difficult. Right. But now in my relationships, you know, somebody who I have friction or conflict with, the more my ways are committing, forgiving, a patient, um, gracious, and that brings about a different kind of peace, you know, when we're able to act Christ-like in situations. I tell a lot of times people are struggling with you know external circumstances of somebody who's being vindictive or whatever, but how you respond is going to make all the difference. One for you know, kind of your relationship and your walk, but that external relationship too. And so maybe it won't be peaceful, you know, maybe never. You can't control that person. But yeah, like we're talking our responsibility to act in such a way that would please the Lord. And then I have a lot of peace now, you know, have them walk through some relationships that are challenging, you know, people's like, hey, you need to walk in such a way that you have peace about it. Because if you start reacting and repaying evil for evil, that's gonna bring a lot of conviction on you because you now chose to respond that way. So is that pleasing to the Lord? So I don't know if that can be a good idea.
SPEAKER_00I mean, well, we're to please the Lord, we're to forgive, as we have been forgiven, we're to make allowances for people's faults, you know. I mean, as if possible, as so far as it depends on you. But I even just think in my own relationships and specifically with my wife, you know, and just the the unity, the reconciliation that that really is brought about by the Lord and the Spirit of God in our hearts. Like when we're in step with the Lord, we will be more prone to forgive. We will be more prone to show grace and to show mercy to someone, even when we have the right maybe to feel angry or bitter against them. And so it just really walking with Jesus facilitates and brings about more peace, you know, even you know, enemies. So I think about the the verse in Hebrews where it talks about how is it in Hebrews where it talks about the dividing wall of hostility has been taken down? I don't can't remember exactly where the reference is, but yeah, like people who would not even people who would maybe normally, apart from Christ, be enemies, are brought together in Jesus and reconciled and at peace with one another and love one another, even. And so it's pretty fascinating. Yep. Yeah. And then verse 8, let's move on. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. And so this is just pointing to the, you know, what truly is best is righteousness, being in right relationship with the Lord, being in right standing with the Lord. Right, we know that you know our righteousness in and of ourselves is filthy rags, but in Christ we are considered righteous. He is our righteousness, 2 Corinthians 5 21. But but really that's what we should be seeking, right? Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and then all these things will be added to you, not worldly success, not great revenues, as is mentioned here.
SPEAKER_01I think trusting, again, the consistent theme here, you know, like if you're in business or anything, are you doing things the right way? Are you treating people the right way? Are society, you know, not getting political on if you're a capitalist, socialist, whatever, but like how do you treat people? You know, is it all about numbers and gain, or is it truly about people and how you are righteous in your dealings? You know, there's a lot of people who you know, there's ethics. Unfortunately, the people and you go through history. Yeah, you can go through history. There's like the Enron things and something. Well, I didn't do anything illegal. Yeah. Well, just because you didn't do it something that
Righteousness Over Revenue In Real Life
SPEAKER_01was against the you know code of the United States doesn't mean it was ethical or moral that you could still be mistreating even the theme here, like God weighs your intentions. And so if you're trying to gain, take advantage of people, you can still play by the rules, quote unquote, but do it the wrong way. Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah. Because I think that's where that little with righteousness versus gaming the system a lot of times.
SPEAKER_00And you know, the temptation to do not the right thing is really a lack of faith in the Lord, and that's really kind of where this is all summed up in verse 9, where it says the heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Like ultimately, our success, like our our whatever it is, is dependent upon the Lord. Like He He puts breath in our lungs, like all things are from Him, through Him, and to Him, right? Every good and perfect gift is coming down from Him, the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. And so instead of trying to think that it relies, it's up to us, like we need to take matters into our own hands and manipulate this or orchestrate that, like, yeah, we need to be diligent and and responsible and and you know, we have to do those things. It's good to steward well and not just, you know, case. No, but understand at the end of the day, like God is in control, you know, and and rest in that, rejoice in that reality.
SPEAKER_01So I think a big kind of closing thought too. We see the plans bookending this, right? Yeah. Verse one, the plans of the heart, verse nine, the heart of man plans. Right. So we see this, you know, bookending of we do make plans, but they need to be rolled onto God. And the more I think of the word, of course, abiding and alignment. I want my plans, I want my heart to align with God so that the steps are established. You know, we don't want God to have to rein us in, like you know, we want to stay in step with the spirit, and that's asking God to keep that posture of it sitting.
SPEAKER_00I do feel that these nine verses can be summed up in Proverbs 3, 5 and 6. Maybe that's why you said Proverbs 3 at the very beginning. I was thinking at the end of the day. You know, trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. Roll onto his understanding. Yeah, in all your ways, though, acknowledge him, and he will make your plans straight or your paths straight. He your plans will be established. It's really kind of pointing to the same result at the end of the day. Rely on the Lord, rest in the Lord, trust in the Lord, believe in the Lord, surrender to the Lord, submit to the Lord, be obedient to the Lord, faithful to the Lord, fear the Lord, right? This is the exhortation of a loving father, King Solomon, exhorting his children. And we've talked, you know, in past or prior weeks that it could be literally he's speaking to his literal children from his many 700 wives and 300 concubines, or it could be that he's speaking to and communicating with his subjects in mind. He's the king of many people, and he loves and understands his responsibility as a king. He's a wise man, and so he's exhorting them. Like, I want the best for you. So do these things, believe these things, trust these things, trust the Lord, roll, commit your work to the Lord, do it, fear the Lord, please the Lord, and that's where we will find life, that's where we will find freedom, that's where we'll find peace, that's where we'll find atonement, right? And so, really, I kind of see that Proverbs 3, 5, and 6 sum up summarizing and reinforcing the message of those nine verses in Proverbs 16.
SPEAKER_01Yep. And I think the key in three, five, and six, all your ways. Too often that's what I see in discussions is we'll trust the Lord with salvation, but I don't trust him with my family, or I don't trust him with my job, the plans. So I think this is all encompassing as well. Right, all areas of your life, you know, because sometimes there's those little strongholds we have, and that's like we talked about why we have to pray. Like, Lord,
Plans Bookended By Trust And Closing
SPEAKER_01search my heart. Where is there something that I'm holding on to? I'm still making the plans and not fully rolling it onto you. And everybody that can be different, you know, sometimes again it can be finances, it can be health, it can be again different relationships, so many areas of our life that can become little idols where we're making the plans and you know, desiring that versus rolling it onto him. So yeah, yeah. Well, great stuff. This is, you know, I mean, solid, like you say, the more we dig into Proverbs, the more we really see so much wisdom, you know, the the benefit of doing things God's way, fully trusting him for establishment. But but as we're looking ahead, I know we're this is a midweek, yeah.
SPEAKER_00So TJ Silvis is preaching the word this week, which I love. I could listen to him talk with his South African. No offense, but he'll sound very uh polished, and he is he's just a great communicator, so I'm really looking forward to that. This Saturday, we're preparing for my daughter's wedding, and so there's a lot on the table here. And then after this, we have one more proverb. This is just a series on select proverbs. And initially I had planned to preach Proverbs chapter 31, which is a very familiar Proverbs 31 woman, but I'm actually changing my mind. I'm switching it up. So I'm gonna do Proverbs chapter, I believe, 30, verses 1 through 9. And I'm excited to do that. Did a little studying this morning and already uh am eager to learn and to grow and to proclaim the truth found there.
SPEAKER_01So a couple more weeks in Proverbs. Hopefully, everybody's been doing the Proverbs in Challenge. I think you'd be wrapping it up about the 31 days if you've been doing that. So we hope to hear some great stories from how that's impacted people in different areas of our life. But wisdom is out there. We just have to ask for it from the Lord who gives generally. Absolutely. Well, Lifehouse family, thanks so much for joining us, going deeper on the sermon. As always, our prayer is this helps you just work through your week, encourage you to allow God's word to change your heart. But we look forward to seeing you next time. Thanks for tuning in to the Life Talk Podcast. If this episode encouraged you, please be sure to like, comment, subscribe, and leave a review so others can find this content as well. And we'll look forward to seeing you next Monday for another great episode.
