Proverbs 21

Two points (among many) in this chapter are repeated. So they stand out.

At the beginning and the end of the chapter the proverbs speak of making our plans. Yet God brings the result. A foolish, lazy man does not work and plan in order to keep his family provided for. He is likely to go hungry. But it is God who brings the results, the victory (31).

So we do all we can to prepare. But after all we are right to gratefully praise God when all goes well. Recently we have seen this in natural disasters all around us. Some unfortunate people are losing homes to fires, some to storms, tornadoes and hurricanes. These things are in the news. We feel sorry for those who lose everything. It could happen to us. We are grateful for God that it does not.

But its not just natural disasters. Circumstances can contrive to foil the best plans and not always because of our mistakes. I figure the best we can do is muddle through. That is how my dad saw it. We often are forced to make decisions with very incomplete information. If we overlook something that changes everything we take our losses and move forward. If things work out as we hoped, we are right to thank God for his goodness.

If we suffer set back God is still good. We survived with our lives. We can take no possessions with us. I feel sorry for those who lose precious keepsakes, pictures, and even important records.We just can use them while we are here.

Secondly the proverbs repeat that it would be better to live in very uncomfortable conditions than to live with a contentious woman. This could just as easily mean a contentious man. I resemble that I'm afraid. I am reminded of one poignant example many years ago of being considered a contentious man.

There are many areas of my life where I cannot control my tongue very well. I can think of at least one place where I seem to be able to hold it together and am not known as contentious. It is by God's grace. It feels good.

Being contentious involves speaking hastily and foolishly. Lord help us all to speak carefully and often less.

James also speaks of the tongue (1:19-21, 3:1-12) warning us to be wise in its use, for it is powerful beyond its size.

So obviously I am not the only one. But I am the only one I can possibly control, maybe.

Lord help me to be a lot better husband. Also help me to be a better businessman and not so contentious. Help me to work in a collegial manner, building up partners and making deals that allow gain for all sides.