The Lord Has Made Everything
Proverbs 16-18
Pretty powerful, thought-provoking texts: “We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 NLT
“The Lord has made everything for His own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
Proverbs 16:4 NLT I believe, going along with this text, that God allows choice; and, because of choice, He uses those who turn away from Him to fulfill His ultimate endgame—including narcissists, those with self-inflated, corrupt egos, and anyone who chooses to inflict harm. Allowing this freedom demonstrates God’s ultimate goodness, because love does not demand its own way. Love is a choice. The disaster is not good. God is.
“A King detests wrongdoing, for His rule is built on justice.” Proverbs 16:12 NLT
“The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” Proverbs 16:17-18 NLT
“Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— both are detestable to the Lord.” Proverbs 17:15 NLT “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” Proverbs 17:28 NLT “It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.” Proverbs 18:5 NLT
