Proverbs 16:7 Commentary and Bible Study

The life of faith requires that we focus on our duty to God and leave to him the resolution of all else. It is the wisdom of a believer to structure his life so that all revolves around this chief concern: to please God in every aspect of life. This means that other things may be neglected and certainly one of these things is the currying of favour with those who have a very different outlook on life. The believer is well aware that others would pay attention to this, and that his enemies are quite capable of being antagonistic towards him and encouraging each other in their antagonism, but it does not concern him. He does not divert from his chief aim in life, but instead follows his God-centred policy. Believing that the God he serves is able to take care of all these things, and that the Lord sees much better than he does all the cunning and plotting of his enemies, he leaves it to him to deal with them in the confidence that God will not overlook any danger that threatens him. Indeed the Lord is on the side of his people, and takes constant active steps to protect them throughout life. He can work through circumstances to prevent those who are hostile from achieving their goal, and he can work within them to subdue their hostility so that they even offer their friendship.This is not an absolute rule, for at times persecution is the will of God for his people, but when it comes it is not because God has forgotten to protect us or is unaware of what plotters are doing. When he allows persecution it is his carefully thought out purpose which is intended for the good of his people, though they cannot necessarily see what he is achieving.It is our duty to please God no matter who else is displeased in the purpose. This means that we must obey God rather than men when there is a clash between the two. A young Christian may face considerable pressure from unbelieving parents to continue a life of worldliness. and to be a good-time person. When the believer chooses to do what might be expected to bring hostility and to diligently follow the Lord, it is the Lord’s strange work to give a measure of peace in this situation at times. When the pastors in the Soviet jails were treated badly by their jailors, their fellow prisoners were often respectful of them and treated them kindly.