Proverbs 20:5-8 says,...

Today's verses are chapter 20:5-8, which read,

v.5 - A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out.

This is another word picture for us to ponder from Solomon.  In our hearts are plans, many plans.  Some will come to light but others will just swim around in the deep waters.  Some will be out of reach of easy grasp and float around with all those other plans.  The wise person, the man of understanding in this proverb, draws out the plan that needs to be put in place.  He draws it out with the tools given him by the God that he is in fear of or in awe of and follows after.  God will give the tools to scoop it out to the wise that have been spoken of all through this book and that plan will be in accordance to God's will to put in place.

v.6 - Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?

This proverb is talking about a bragger.  This is a person who uses the pronoun "I" an awful lot.  They are the answer to everything.  They put themselves at the head of the line and as "king" of the hill.  Their loyalty is upon themselves.  The loyalty that they are proclaiming is of their goodness, kindness, and faithfulness.  The contrast is the man who is trustworthy.  The point to make here is the difference of a trustworthy man who does not claim his own loyalty or goodness but is faithful to the goodness, kindness, and faithfulness of another, namely his God.  The trustworthy man is trusty because he points to God rather than to himself.  This is the person we are in the search of and also the person to be.

v.7 - A righteous man who walks in his integrity--how blessed are his sons after him.

If the man is righteous then he is following after God and that brings about a walk of integrity.  He is walking as a complete man because God is with him.  His sons receive something from him because of the example he is putting before them.  They are able to see a living example.  They are able to hear the words of God from his mouth.  They are able to walk alongside of someone who is walking with God, instep with His wisdom.  What an advantage to our children when we are wise in the Lord.  They benefit from us seeking and living out following after God.  Let us not deprive our children of this blessing which is far above anything the world has to offer.

v.8 -  A king who sits on the throne of justice disperses all evil with his eyes.

The one who is following after God is given eyes to discern what is right and wrong.  The one who is concerned about justice will search God's word for direction and instruction when looking at a rising situation.  The one who has to make a decision and wants it to be just and firm will call upon others who also follow after God for counsel to scatter or cast away the evil.  You want to be a stranger to evil and to do that you need to be a really good friend to good and there is only one good and that is God.  

Recap.  Solomon is calling out for us to have understanding of the plans God wants for us, to be trustworthy and not a bragger of self, righteous walking in integrity, and concerned about living a life of justice involving scattering evil from us.  He is describing someone who is getting these cues from Someone, capital "S", who is full of understanding, trustworthiness, righteousness, and justice to discern.  Let us keep our eyes on the One who will draw this out of us as we draw nearer and nearer to Him.  Let us pray.

"Lord, what can come out of us when we come near to You.  It is because of You and we are blessed as we walk after You, in sight of You, in step with You, hearing from You.  We are those blessed sons.  Convict me when I am looking at the easy plan and not Your plan that needs to be drawn out.  Convict me when I proclaim how good I am.  Convict me when I am setting a bad example of following self rather than You in front of my children.  Convict me when my focus is not on justice but whatever is easiest even though it taints me with the evil.  God help me to keep near to You.  Amen."

Pastor Adam