7 When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. 8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. 9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. 10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice. 11 Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making. 12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. (Prov. 16:7-12 NIV)
7 When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
Our ways are always viewed by God. It is important to note that the Lord takes pleasure in our way. It is amazing grace that the Lord would take pleasure in the way that any of us walk. It is perhaps a bit like observing your child take their first step. They are far from walking at a steady pace but just that faltering step has us telling everyone about that first step. The steps that we take along the way are surely always faltering steps, yet our heavenly Father takes pleasure in the progress that we make. The Lord is abounding in love, He rewards way out of proportion for the good we have done, and he punishes only a fraction of what we deserve – many times He does not give us what we deserve because He remembers that we are but dust. When we please God, God causes us to please people, even our enemies.
8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
Justice over injustice is always better. Experiencing justice is better than only having little of this world’s goods, and better by far than having many riches and having to live with injustice.
9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps.
We plan many things, the subjects we study, the university we attend, the course we take, the job that we choose, where we live, and who we marry. Quite often we set that plan before the Lord and ask Him to bless it. We should place that plan before the Lord and commit it to the Lord, asking Him to change it so that it might be according to His will. We also need to learn to quietly accept what the Lord does with our lives, because it is the Lord who has the only right to establish the steps that we take.
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.
God upholds His rule on earth through the rulers that He appoints to rule. Every ruler has the heavy burden of submitting to God in their rule. When the ruler submits to God then the words he speaks are full of God’s wisdom. When the ruler speaks wisdom then he does not betray justice but upholds justice.
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.
The Lord requires that we should be honest in our business. We should not short-change anyone by using faulty or rigged equipment. Honest measures and honest means are part of God’s will and are the way that God desires us to conduct ourselves.
12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.
Rulers who are seeking the Lord for wisdom will detest wicked ways and wrongdoing; because they have submitted to God their rule is established through righteousness.
Prayer
Father help us to live our lives in such a way that our lives will bring You pleasure. Help us to delight in Your will and prosper in following Your way because we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.