Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 16:7

Proverbs 16

7 When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

What this proverb tells us is, that the way we live our lives affects others and can bring peace in to their hearts. We have been concerned with finding peace ourselves so that we can have peace as a central part of our lives and we know the benefits of that to us but now we see the benefits to others, particularly those that are hostile to us.

I remember working offshore and having a power struggle with my deck foreman, a very strong bullish character. I was his supervisor and he resented that, he wanted to do things his way and for the most part I let him carry on but occasionally I wanted a job done my way for a particular reason. There was probably a touch of I’m the boss in it aswell, just a reminder of authority so a bit of ego going on aswell.

One day I had left specific instructions on how a large crude oil hose had to be taken apart and left for inspection and he completely ignored my instruction and did it his way. We had a confrontation in front of the deck crew and we were both screaming at each other. Pride was to the fore and a lot of pent up frustration was boiling over. No doubt we looked like enemies. One of the crew said later, I thought one of you was going to end up over the ships side.

The Lord most definitely would not have been pleased with my way which relates to the way we conduct our selves, the steps we take, the decisions we make and the resulting actions. You could read the proverb another way, when the Lord is not pleased with our way, he causes their enemies to rise up against them.

Cause and effect, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. We must be aware that our actions have an effect on other. When I pushed, my foreman pushed back.

When we display grace, grace is given in return. I am sure we can think of many times when a grace filled action on our part was returned with the same grace. There were times in my relationship with that man where I treated him with respect and he did the same and there was peace between us.

It is all about grace, when our lives are lived in a way that pleases God then he will take the tension out of any situation and cause grace to rise up in those that are opposed to us.

So may your walk please the Lord today and cause any difficulties you have with people fade away.