Proverbs 16:1-3, 31-33 (ESV)

[1] 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.

[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.

Proverbs 16 is primarily about three significant ideas. First, God is sovereign. “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD” (Prov 16:1). “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Prov 16:33). The chapter begins and ends with statements of sovereignty, and the concept runs throughout the chapter. That raises the question: Do we really believe that God is in control? We like to talk about God’s sovereignty. We like to sing about God’s presence and power. But do we really believe our own words? When things go wrong, can we trust that God is in control? When our car breaks down, when our child gets sick, when our body is wracked with pain, when we lose everything… Can we really say with Job, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21)? Do we really believe that God is sovereign, and that he genuinely cares about us?

The second significant concept in this chapter is righteousness. If we believe that God is sovereign, then we will live out his righteousness no matter what. If we believe that the world is spinning out of control, then our faith wavers, our fear rises, and our righteousness dissipates. We know that, “…all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Is 64:6), and that righteousness is a gift from God (see Rom 5:17). We live out that righteousness by faith. Living in poverty with righteousness is better than having the wealth of deception, lies, manipulation, and violence. “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Prov 16:7). Righteousness brings about favor and peace, but even when we do not see the immediate value of living righteously, it is still better than unrighteousness.

One of the reasons righteousness is of such great value is because of the third significant idea in this chapter. People influence people. Unrighteousness has a way of poisoning everything it touches. “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends” (Prov 16:28). But righteousness brings healing, favor, honor, and peace.

What we believe, and how we live impacts and influences those around us. Do we really believe that God is sovereign? Faith in the sovereignty of God allows us to live out the righteousness of God no matter the circumstances. Living out God’s righteousness brings life, peace, and healing to those whose lives we touch.

Proverbs 16:3, 31-32

[3] Commit your work to the LORD,

and your plans will be established.

[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.

Let us live out the righteousness of God, trusting his sovereignty. Do we really believe that God is good? Then let us commit our ways to the Lord and trust him, no matter what.