Proverbs 16:2
All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
1 John 1:6-7
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
Devotion
In verse two of Proverbs sixteen, Solomon presents two very important truths. First, he writes, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them.” A person is clean in their own eyes. The question we must ask is, “Who am I comparing myself to?” Compared to some people, I might look pretty righteous! Compared to others, I might be ashamed of my lack of righteousness. We need to hold up the mirror of the Word of God to our lives, and it will reveal that things are not quite right, that we don’t measure up to God’s standard. When we look at ourselves in light of God’s Word, then we will see we have a need and that there are blind spots in our lives.
We may think we look pretty good in our own eyes, but the second truth Solomon declares is that our “motives are weighed by the Lord.” God searches every heart. His scales of justice are pure and without fault. He not only knows our actions but knows our motives for what we do. This week we have been addressing heart issues. We have learned the importance of not showcasing our spiritual disciplines and making them a public performance. We have looked at the pitfalls of seeking the approval of others. We have learned the importance of being faithful, not fake. We learned that we don’t need human approval, but that we need God’s presence. With all of these truths in mind, remember that our motives are weighed by the Lord. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Our daily goal should be to walk in the light and truth of God’s Word. When the truth of God’s Word becomes our mirror, we can be honest with God and with others. When we are honest with God and others, we can experience the kind of fellowship that God desires for us to experience. As stated, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them.” Maybe it is time for us to be honest with ourselves!
Questions to Ponder:
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you frequently compare yourself to others? What standards do you use to examine your life? What does God see when He peers into the depths of your soul?
Prayer Points
- Praise the Lord for being the Living Word, Word made flesh, Holy, perfect, right, just, and powerful.
- Hallowed be His name: King of kings, Lord of lords, Eternal God, Almighty, Everlasting One, Victorious Warrior, Son of God, Son of man, Defender of our faith, Helper, Light of the world, Revealer of Truth, etc.
- Ask for His kingdom to come and His will to be done in and through you and our beloved church family today. Ask for His daily bread. Ask Him to bring to your mind right now any offensive way. Repent of your sin and receive His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Thank Him for His kindness that leads to repentance.
- Thank the Lord for His everlasting love, unlimited patience, and amazing grace. Let your heart be undone before our Father as You thank Him for purifying us, cleansing us, setting us apart, etc.
- Ask the Lord to give you and our Oak Pointe Church family a greater desire to commune with Him while being in His Word. Ask Him to help you remember His Word and share it with others throughout the day. Ask for words of wisdom and knowledge; an encouraging word to sustain the weary.
Suggested Prayer
Heavenly Father, God who sees and hears, You are my God who answers and responds. Thank You for your kind and patient heart toward me and Your church. Thank You for being the God of hope, peace, truth, patience and comfort. You are trustworthy. You will not run or dessert me even in my weakness and mistakes. You still love me because of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for the blood that was shed for me. Thank You for my salvation and for Your indwelling Spirit that leads, guides, empowers, strengthens, reveals, helps, and convicts me. I love to be loved by You, oh God!
Lord, I ask that You mark me and my brothers and sisters at Oak Pointe Church to be ones that daily walk and live in Your Truth. Enable us by Your Holy Spirit to keep short accounts with You, confess sins to one another, and pray for each other so we may be healed.
Thank You that You are the Anchor in my soul. I am rooted and grounded in You, and You will never leave or forsake me. Make me one with the body of believers and with You, Abba. Protect and watch over me. As I continue to pray, give, serve, share You with others, fast, and live in the secret place, may my life be a sweet aroma to you, as well as advancing Your kingdom here on earth. May You be pleased to dwell inside of me and continue to help me walk in step with the Spirit. Use this time of fasting in a special way so that I may know You even more. Take me deeper and higher in You, Lord Jesus. Be glorified in my thoughts and heart. Draw me away with You in the secret place of intimacy. Spirit of Truth, empower me to run with You in ministry. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.