Civil Government: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (1). To change the heart of the king or the president or the prime minister or the dictator, appeal to Jesus Christ, the Sovereign One, the King of Kings.

Self-Righteousness: “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts” (2). It’s more important to know what God thinks of me than to be certain in what I think of myself.

Justice: “To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice” (3). The Lord loves the sincere sacrifices of His people. But even more, He loves to see in them the manifestation and reflection of His own justice and even-handedness.

Diligence vs Get Rich Quick: “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want” (5). In the long run, steady and faithful diligence yields far better results than any speedy path to wealth.

Getting Ahead by Deceit: “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and from of them that seek death” (6). Politics, business, relationships — success achieved through deception is empty and fleeting.

Perceptions of Others: “The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes” (10). Politics, business, relationships — an inability (or an unwillingness) to discover the good in another reflects very poorly on me.

from Proverbs 21:1

A little bit more from Proverbs 21: Our Pondering God