RELEASE TO RAISE
I was introduced to this verse thanks to my high school soccer coach. Before EVERY game, he would quote this to us and remind us to make sure that we had the right mindset before stepping onto the fi
Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit your works unto the Lord and your thoughts will be established"
I was introduced to this verse thanks to my high school soccer coach. Before EVERY game, he would quote this to us and remind us to make sure that we had the right mindset before stepping onto the field. It took several years for me to unpack the true meaning, but what an influence he had on me by infusing truth from God's Word into our lives.
Before we get into the discussion, we have to pause and define some terms from the original texts. The Hebrew language is much more expressive than we understand from our English translations, so let's take a quick look:
Commit - to roll or transfer from you to another. The imagery is of a larger object that takes effort to move and then letting it go. See also Psalm 37:5.
Work - to act leading to success or results. See also Joshua 24:31 as it references the Lord's works on behalf of Israel.
Thoughts - to meditate, plot, or purpose. Implied within this definition is that a person's thoughts naturally result in an action or invention. See also Genesis 6:5 where humanity dwelt only upon thoughts against the Lord.
Established - to firmly plant. The picture is of something being adjoined in a perpendicular fashion, so think of a monument that is constructed upward in height while being set to a strong foundation on the ground. See also Judges 16:26 & 29 as Samson placed his hands on the pillars upon which the structure was attached.
Understanding these terms, let's go back to the verse itself. The proverb imparts wisdom that directs us to do the following: Transfer to God (and let go of) our pursuit of success and, by doing so, our meditations will be built upon the right foundation. Releasing a worthless desire gives us the chance to raise a priceless legacy. The implication, here, is that we have to choose between what matters little and what matters most.
Do not flippantly read those thoughts because they are THE defining moments of your life. We have to "be right" in order to "believe right" so that we "behave right." Being the right person means that we quit trying to do things for God and form an abiding relationship with God. If you want to learn more about this relationship, then reach out to me on the contact page and I'll be happy to share.
If you have spent any time on this website, you will quickly understand the connection between this verse and the title "Defined by Moments." Proverbs 16:3 is the foundational verse. Why? The simple follow-through of implementing this proverb occurs in private but the results will be clearly seen in public. It is a defining moment of your life. You choose in private to become the right person and that choice allows God to shape your beliefs resulting in different behaviors.
What will it be? Are you going to follow the proverb or forgo its prudence?